Powhaton was standing outside of his longhouse when Pocahontas and Tokum approached. He observed the joyous expression of Tokum�s face and the sorrow on his daughter�s. Almost a forced happiness. He let out a long sigh. This wasn�t his daughter. Her eyes, normally dancing and shining with life, were gone, replaced by two orbs of regret and longing. Her normally smiling mouth was now in a tight line and if ever, a forced smile. Something, he knew, wasn�t right. Whatever it was, he would find out soon enough. He smiled and went to greet his daughter and Tokum.
* * * * * * * *
Pocahontas smiled at Powhaton when he came to greet them. She looked into the eyes of her father and knew that he knew something was bothering her. He al ways had been able to. �Chief Powhaton,� Tokum began, �your daughter has given her consent to my proposal. I wish to thank the both of you for your kindness and I am honored that she has accepted me as her future husband.� Pocahontas glanced over at her father to find him staring at her. She knew he had made the connection. �My dear,� Powhaton slowly started, �this is the man you wish to marry?� She stood silent for a moment. John�s face flashed in her mind, but she quickly pushed it out. She wanted to scream �NO!� and run from the hut. Instead, she straighted herself and said simply. �Yes�
Powhaton, still looking a little unsure, looked at both of them. �Very well,� he said. �I will announce your engagement to the village tomorrow night and then the plans will be started.� He smiled tenderly at Pocahontas. �You just don�t know how much you look like your mother.� he whispered. Then he turned and went outside, leaving Tokum and Pocahontas alone in the longhouse.
�Well,� Tokum started, turning to her. �It looks like we are officially engaged.� �Yes, I believe we are.� she answered, forcing a smile. Tokum slowly made his way over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Looking her in the eyes he stated. �Pocahontas, I know that I am not your first choice as a husband. But I promise to do my best to please you and I am confident that, with time, we will grow to love each other as a husband and wife and not just friends.� �I know� Pocahontas answered little shaky. �I also promise to do my best for you as well.� Tokum smiled and hugged her �That�s all I can ask for.� he said.
In Tokums arms, Pocahontas felt strange. Gone was the brotherly feeling that had been so familiar. In it�s place was something new. It felt like she was hugging a stranger. What really surprised her was Tokum�s kiss. There were no sparks. She needed sparks. When he pulled back, he smiled. �I must go now.� he told her. �I must meet with the trading company about our next trip. I will see you later.� With that he slipped out of the hut.
Pocahontas watched him go and tried to figure out what had just happened. She finally realized the reality of it all. She was going to marry Tokum. She snapped herself out of it and walked outside. In the distance, she saw the sails of a new ship docking at the Jamestown harbor. For a moment, her heart soared. Could it really be? Then , after a second, she shook her head. So many times she had gone to the harbor every time a new ship came, hoping, praying, that somehow, John had come and every time finding nothing. What made this time any different. She must realize that. It was time to move on with her life. Repeating the thought to herself, she made her way to her favorite cliff to think.
* * * * * * * *
When John�s feet hit the ground at Jamestown harbor, he thought he would burst. So long he had waited for this. he spotted Thomas among the people at the harbor and walked over to tap his friend on the shoulder. When Thomas turned around, he almost had a heart attack. �John!,� he said �What in the world are you doing here. We all thought you had died.�
�Well, not to disappoint you,� John said with a smirk, �But I�m just fine.� �I�m sorry,� Thomas said �I�m just really glad to see you.� �It�s good to be back.� John said, embracing his friend. �Oh come on John,� a voice from behind called. �Don�t tell me I�ve been replaced already.� �Don�t you wish.� John laughed as Eric made his way over. Introductions were made and the two men shook hands.
�I see the colony is growing well,� John observed. �Look like all of y our hard work paid off. Well done, my friend.� Thomas blushed at the compliment. �Thank you, but I really wouldn�t have been possible without Pocahontas�s help.� John�s head snapped toward Thomas at the mention of his love�s name. �Oh.. um... speaking o-of Pocahontas, um...how is she?� he asked quietly. Thomas looked at his friend. �Well, she�s fine,� he said. �She�s looking for you everyday to show up. She�s actually supposed to come by later to discuss the plan for the coming winter. Man will she be surprised,� John�s spirit�s soared. She had remembered! They could finally be together after all this time!. �I�ll be looking forward to it.� John said calmly, ignoring the�I�ll bet you will� comment from Eric. �Come on.� Thomas called. �Let me show you around.� The two men followed Thomas, one imagining what his future could possibly hold.
* * * * * * * *
Nakoma was already at the cliff when Pocahontas arrived. The friends h ad shared many conversations here and had proclaimed it their special place. Nakoma stood as Pocahontas approached. �So..,� she began, �it�s official.?� Pocahontas nodded. �My father is going to announce it to the village tomorrow.� Nakoma smiled. �You�ll be fine.� she reassured her friend. �It�s the right thing to do.� �I know� Pocahontas answered. �Thank you for everything.� �That�s what I�m here for.� Nakoma smiled. �Aren�t you supposed to meet with Thomas today about the winter plan.� Pocahontas smacked her forehead. �Ofcourse! I knew I forgot something. Do you want to come?� she asked. �Sure, why not.� Nakoma shrugged and the friends took off for Jamestown.
All the way to Jamestown, the girls chatted nonstop about how they could plan this winter. Over the past two years, Pocahontas and Thomas had helped to unite their people so they could be of help to one another. Pocahontas met with Thomas at his home in Jamestown on ce a month to discuss plans. As they neared his home, Pocahontas saw he was not alone. There were 2 men with him. One she didn�t recognize. The other, however, was different. The sight of him made her freeze in place and grab Nakoma�s arm. He had golden hair, the sun reflecting off of it and eyes the color of the ocean. This was the man she had longed for for two long years. This was her first love, her only love. John Smith had returned to Jamestown.
�Hey,� Nakoma said. �Do you mind loosening up-� She stopped short when she saw where her friend was staring. Her jaw dropped in amazement and they both stood there, neither uttering a word.
John had stopped chatting with his friends, when he too noticed her. He stared at her, in awe of her beauty. This was the woman he planned to share his life with, the woman who held his heart and would forever. Thomas and Eric had stoppe d talking and followed John�s gaze. They too, stood there in shock, wondering what would happen next.
John was the first to move. he started, slowly at first, walking toward her, then turned into a flat out run with his arms outstretched to meet his love. Pocahontas, tears running down her face, ran to meet him and threw herself into his outstretched arms, to which he embraced her with such strength, she thought he might crush her. How good it felt to be in his arms once more. To feel the love that she had been longing for. Slowly, John loosed his grip and looked into her eyes. She was crying and he gently wiped her tears away with his thumb. Before she could say anything, he pulled her to him to once more and lowered his head to hers, and met her lips in the sweetest kiss she ever could have imagined. She knew she should pull away, but for some reason, she couldn�t. She slowly placed her arm�s around his neck and enjoyed the time. Without words, John told her how much he missed and loved her. That he wanted to be with her forever. Only that wasn�t possible. So long she had waited for this moment and now her dream was shattered. John finally pulled away, not caring how many people were watching them. �Hi� he whispered. �Hi� she whispered back. He smiled and hugged her once more. �At last we will be together, my love.� he whispered into her hair. Pocahontas squeezed her eyes close to fight the tears that threatened to come. She pulled back and looked John in the eyes. �No,� she said. �I�m so sorry, my love, but we can�t.� John stared at her in shock. �What do you mean.� he asked Pocahontas took a deep breath before answering him. �I�m engaged.�