#Uncas and Alice AU

[simplicius-simplicissimus]

The Last Of The Mohican - a search for clues (Der letzte Mohikaner - eine Spurensuche)

„French Soldier“ in Fort Louisbourg

The novel "The Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper is set at the time of the British fighting the French (with Indian allies on both sides) for colonial supremacy in North America in the Seven Years' War of 1756 - 1763. In the story, the Mohican Uncas and the trapper Natty Bumppo (called "Hawkeye") attempt to free the two kidnapped daughters of Colonel Munro (the commanding officer of the fort "William Henry"), Cora and Alice, from the hands of the Hurons. The fictional story takes place against the backdrop of the true historical events surrounding the massacre after the surrender of fort “William Henry” in 1757.

Our trip to Canada in 2019 also took us to the area where this war was fought. The French fortress (or short „fort“) “Louisbourg” on Nova Scotia occupied an important, strategic position, controlling access to the St. Lawrence River - an important supply route for the French colonies. The fortress is still preserved and now serves as a tourist attraction. You can immerse yourself in the lives of the soldiers and civilian residents of the garrison at that time. The war ended after a decisive battle near the city Quebec with the defeat of France and the loss of all colonies there. However, French culture and language has persisted in this region of Canada (called Quebec). Quebec today enjoys special status in Canada as a “nation within a nation”.

Seven Years‘ War - French and British Colonies in Northern America

Fort Louisbourg

Der Roman „Der letzte Mohikaner“ von James Fenimore Cooper spielt zur Zeit der Kämpfe der Briten gegen die Franzosen (mit indianischen Verbündeten auf beiden Seiten) um die koloniale Vorherrschaft in Nordamerika im Siebenjährigen Krieg von 1756 - 1763. In der Erzählung versuchen der Mohikaner Uncas und der Trapper Natty Bumppo (genannt „Hawkeye“ - Falkenauge) die beiden entführten Töchter von Colonel Munro (dem kommandierenden Offizier des Forts „William Henry“), Cora und Alice, aus den Händen der Huronen zu befreien. Die fiktive Erzählung spielt vor dem Hintergrund der wahren historischen Ereignisse um das Massaker nach der Übergabe von Fort „William Henry“ im Jahr 1757.

Unser Trip nach Kanada führte uns auch in die Gegend, wo dieser Krieg ausgetragen wurde. Eine wichtige, strategische Position nahm dabei die französische Festung (im Englischen auch kurz „Fort“ genannt) „Louisbourg“ auf Nova Scotia ein, das den Zugang zum Sankt-Lorenz-Strom kontrollierte - ein wichtiger Versorgungsweg für die französischen Kolonien. Die Festung ist noch erhalten und dient heute als Touristenattraktion. Man kann dort in das Leben der Soldaten und der zivilen Bewohner der Garnison zu dieser Zeit eintauchen. Der Krieg endete nach einer entscheidenden Schlacht bei der Stadt Quebec mit der Niederlage Frankreichs und dem Verlust sämtlicher Kolonien dort. Die französische Kultur und Sprache hat sich in dieser Region Kanadas (genannt Quebec) jedoch gehalten. Quebec geniesst heute in Kanada einen Sonderstatus als „Nation innerhalb einer Nation“.

-Simplicius Simplicissimus

[helle-bored]

Self Rec Tag Game

I was tagged by @m0srael (thank you!) whose rec list is here!

Rules: We would like to ask you to recommend us 3 of YOUR fics: 1 that is “most popular” and 2 that are “hidden gems!" Then tag some folks.

i'm a rebel so i'm gonna do 2 and 2

1. By and By (2.3K, G, Pirates of the Caribbean)

"Calypso sent me. Said your fool crew had endangered your life." His eyes shine, a little darker than in his other life, a little more weary, but he's just as steadily in love as ever. Will/Elizabeth, post AWE.

listen. i've been team willabeth since i was thirteen, and nothing's changed in the past twenty years.

2. at the end of his tether (4.3K, M, Harry Potter)

There's a worn page folded in an inner pocket of Harry's robes with a single underlined paragraph. Discrete magical signatures have been observed after the destruction of a Dementor. Some scholars believe this implies that the souls of its victims persist as captives within its form, as opposed to undergoing immediate obliteration, and therefore serve the purpose of providing the creature with sustenance over a prolonged period of time. Harry has carried it for nearly two years.

i feel like this fic was a conversation between myself and the darkness that comes out of grief. like, things happen that are pretty awful and they can fuck a person up, but sometimes it's the ways we're fucked up that change the world. please check out the absolutely beautiful art by @babooshkart i commissioned for the fic here!

--

1. England, In Absentia (2.5k, G, Last of the Mohicans (1992))

Scenes from Cora's journey west with her new family, and the ways in which she leaves England behind. AU where Alice and Uncas survive.

this is my most technically proficient and beautiful fic, and the fourth scene is the most romantic thing i've ever written. absolutely wild thing to say about a fic i started because i randomly had the desire to write about a woman having her period in the 18th century.

2. i'll see you with your laughter lines (1.6k, T, Hunger Games)

If Finnick were just a little too ugly for the rest of the world, Annie wouldn't mind. (Post-70th/pre-75th games.)

i wanted to create something where grief doesn't touch them -- even when you know it's in the background of their lives, and even when you know what's coming. just a window into a moment of joy where they can laugh at the shadows.

tagging uhh @tarysande, @three--rings, and @moonstruckwytch!

[starshollowgal]

Why? Why did Michael Mann deprive us of this beautiful couple. Someone really should petition the studio to release their deleted scenes.

[lafiametta]

The Wilderness by lafiametta (on AO3)

“I absolutely cannot wait to return to Portman Square, having been to the wilderness...”

An alternate ending Last of the Mohicans fic where Uncas survives the cliffs and Alice must decide where her heart ultimately lies. 

[brynnaraven]

Working on Chapter 20 of FITF

Faithful readers, I’ve got most of tomorrow earmarked to get chapter 20 of Flying Into the Fire going, and hopefully get a good chunk written. I’m not sure how long it will take to write. This is the last chapter and it will have an epilogue attached, and I want to make sure it turns out just right. I’m shooting for two weeks or less; definitely less if I can swing it. We are still in the last stages of all the crazy house stuff, and I’d really love to have the chapter done and posted before husband and I go out of town the first weekend of March, or very shortly thereafter. Thanks for your patience with these last few chapters, and all the love and support for my writing in general. It means everything and makes all the effort so worth it. ❤️❤️❤️

[chocolatejet]

Trust [5/?]

Chapters: 5/? Fandom: Last of the Mohicans [1992] Rating: Teen Warnings: Mentions of past domestic violence. Relationships: Alice Munro/Uncas; Cora Munro/Nathaniel Poe. Characters: Alice Munro, Uncas, Cora Munro, Nathaniel Poe, Chingachgook, OCs.

Summary: When Alice joins Cora and Nathaniel for Thanksgiving, it soon becomes apparent she’s not quite herself. Fearful of putting a damper on her sister’s happiness, Alice finds herself confiding in someone else instead. Someone… unexpected. Modern AU.

 [Ch. 1] [Ch. 2] [Ch. 3] [Ch. 4]

The Waters join them for dinner again the next evening, and Alice is relieved when Uncas makes absolutely no attempt to revisit yesterday’s events. A relief she soon finds out is short-lived. When she offers to do the dishes, he offers to help – and the look he gives her says he won’t take no for an answer.

 “You should tell Cora,” says Uncas after they’ve been at the chore for a good few minutes in silence.

 “I can’t,” she replies, setting another plate on the draining board. She’s inwardly grateful for his lack of comment on refusing to hand the washed dishes directly to him. Instead, he takes them while her hands are the furthest they can be, in the sink, and dries them like it’s normal procedure. Like he’s used to women who don’t like being touched.

 “But she’s your sister.” His voice remains even, yet Alice can sense the frustration behind it.

 “And she’s getting married in three months’ time.” She doesn’t quite manage to keep the irritation from her own voice. “I can’t ruin her happiness. And besides, it’s over.” The latter comment sounds weak. Uncertain.

 “Really?”

 Alice spares Uncas a cautious glance, finding him watching her with a dark brow arched speculatively. She looks away, flustered.

 “I left him…”

 “But he won’t leave you alone. That’s part of the reason you’re here.”

 Alice wonders how he can read her so well, for someone she’s just met. She gives a hesitant nod. “I thought some time away might… help.” Because despite the restraining order she’s filed against him, Mark still won’t leave her be. He has just the right combination of cunning and determination to send untraceable clues her way. Clues that remind her she isn’t free. Not by a long shot.

 “And what happens when you go back?”

 Alice ducks her head, blinking rapidly against the sting of impending tears as she scrubs the last plate. She hears Uncas sigh.

 “I didn’t mean to upset you.” He speaks so gently that her eyes hurt even more. “But this isn’t something you can brush under the rug and forget about until your time in Bolton is up.”

 Alice nods before taking a deep, shuddering breath. “I know. It’s just…” She pauses, shrugs helplessly, and finishes the sentence in a whisper. “I don’t know what to do.”

 “We’ll figure something out.”

 Alice looks at Uncas sharply, and from the way he gazes steadily back, she knows without a doubt that by ‘we’ he means the two of them. Only the two of them.

 As the panicked coil in her chest loosens, she gives him a genuine, if shaky, smile.

 “Thank you.”

 .

 .

 .

  A/N: Sorry for the looong delay, everyone! I can’t promise that the next chapter will be up any faster…

[uncas-alice]

So glad to see another Uncas/Alice fan! I'm happy to even find AUs here for this couple!!

Welcome!! So glad you found us!

If you have any AUs, please feel free to share them!

[lenofi]

AU where uncas and alice live happily forever on frontier

AU where we all aren't dead inside for the rest of our lives

[ingilizce-turkce]

SON MOHİKAN ALMANCA FİLM ÖZETİ

SON MOHİKAN ALMANCA FİLM ÖZETİ

Deutscher TitelDer letzte MohikanerOriginaltitelThe Last of the MohicansProduktionslandUSAOriginalspracheEnglischErscheinungsjahr1992Länge108 MinutenAltersfreigabeFSK 16StabRegieMichael MannDrehbuchMichael Mann Christopher CroweProduktionJames G. Robinson Hunt Lowry Michael Mann Ned DowdMusikTrevor Jones Randy Edelman

Der letzte Mohikaner

Zusammenfassung

Zur Zeit des Franzosen- und Indianerkriegs kommt es im Jahr 1757 im Grenzland zu einem Gefecht zwischen den mit den Franzosen verbündeten Huronen und britischen Soldaten. Dabei werden Cora und Alice Munro, die Töchter eines ranghohen britischen Offiziers, von Hawkeye, einem bei Indianern aufgewachsenen Weißen, und den Mohikanern Chingachgook und Uncas gerettet. Sie versprechen, die Töchter des Soldaten in das Fort William Henry zu bringen, das unterdessen von der französischen Armee belagert wird. Auf dem Weg dorthin kommen sie an einer zerstörten Farm vorbei, die einer Siedlerfamilie gehört hatte, die mit den drei Mohikanern befreundet gewesen war. Im Fort angekommen, gerät Hawkeye in einen Konflikt mit Colonel Munro, da dieser nicht die Übereinkunft zur Kenntnis nehmen will, dass die Siedler auf ihre Farmen zurückkehren dürfen, wenn diese angegriffen werden. Nachdem Hawkeye (Nathaniel Poe) die auf Seiten der Briten kämpfenden Farmer und Indianer zum Verlassen des Forts beeinflusst hat, wird er des Hochverrats angeklagt und soll gehängt werden. Cora Munro, die sich in Hawkeye verliebt hat, versucht erfolglos, ihren Vater zur Freilassung Hawkeyes zu überreden. Die Briten müssen mangels Vorräten und Munition schließlich aufgeben, dürfen das Fort nach einem Waffenstillstandsabkommen aber unbehelligt verlassen. Schon kurz danach wird die Kolonne von den Huronen unter der F��hrung des Huronen-Unterhäuptlings Magua angegriffen: das legendäre Fort-William-Henry -Massaker beginnt. Magua möchte Munro und seine Töchter töten, da er durch ihn indirekt seine gesamte Familie verloren hat. Im allgemeinen Schlachtgetümmel gelingt Hawkeye zunächst die Rettung der beiden Töchter des Colonels und die Flucht. Sie werden von den Huronen schnell gefangengenommen. Der Sachem der Huronen entscheidet schließlich, dass Cora als Ausgleich für Maguas Verlust sterben soll und Alice Maguas neue Frau wird. Hawkeye und Major Heyward, welcher ebenfalls in Cora verliebt ist, bieten ihr eigenes Leben, um das von Cora zu retten. Daraufhin wird Major Heyward hingerichtet. Uncas stellt Magua, der mit Alice das Indianerlager verlässt, nach. Beim Kampf gegen Magua verliert Uncas das Leben. Alice, die insgeheim in Uncas verliebt war, sieht nun keinen Ausweg mehr und folgt ihm freiwillig in den Tod, indem sie sich von einem Fels herunterstürzt. Chingachgook, der nach Uncas' Tod nun der letzte aus dem Volk der Mohikaner ist, rächt seinen Sohn und tötet Magua.

[starshollowgal]

I am officially at a LOW POINT in my obsession with this couple. Now everytime I see them, all I want is to see their scenes that Michael Mann left out of the film!!

[starshollowgal]

These are the actors/actresses I envisioned when  I came up with the characters for this story. It is half way done, but I still don’t have a name for it yet. If come up with any ideas, please let me know. (Scroll down to the bottom for summary.)

Jodi May as Alice Munro

Eric Schweig as Uncas

Gabriella Wilde as Miss Jane Braddock

Heida Reed as Suzannah Keene

Martha Doyle Kennedy as Mrs. Jocasta McCree

Seth Numrich as Benjamin Shelly

Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Phaedra

Daniel Day Lewis and Madeline Stowe as Nathaniel ‘Hawkeye’ and Cora Poe

Ellis Chase as Francis Poe

Skye McCole Bartusiak as Esther Poe

Summary: Alice and Cora are now happily married and raising their families. But when an old friend of Alice’s suddenly arrives in Albany, things quickly become complicated when Alice has to decide whether to go against all that he was taught growing up, and all that she has learned in her new life. @uncas-alice @mohiican

[starshollowgal]

Uncas and Alice modern wedding.

[starshollowgal]

The Last Flower

This is a short story I had written. I hope you like it.

Maple Tree Glade, Territory of Connecticut ~ 1761

The hunting moon had arisen. But for Alice Munro, it was commonly known as the month of September, and September implied two things: it was time to harvest the crops, and Uncas would shortly be leaving for the next six weeks. The time of year had come once more when, Uncas, would depart with his father and brother to collect their furs and pelts, and take them to the nearest trading post to sell. From there, they would purchase the much-needed supplies for the approaching winter before returning home. Over the course of the journey, they would traverse nearly a hundred and fifty miles on foot, mostly through hostile territory, and would be sleeping out in the open the entire time. Alice disliked the thought of being separated from Uncas for such a lengthy period. She had been permitted to accompany them once on such a trip, saying she could help to skin and clean the animals they trapped. However, after realizing her presence not only slowed them down, because she couldn't keep up, but also because they had to halt several times for her to rest, which put all of them in great danger. Therefore ever since, Alice had henceforth vowed she would never undertake such a journey again.

Well, at least Cora would come to stay with her while Uncas was away.

Standing on the wooden steps outside the small log cabin Uncas had built for her, Alice leaned against the oak post and looked to the forest, which Uncas had moments ago disappeared through. She admired the transition from vibrant greens to hues of beautiful red and orange, just like the color of the sun. She loved the beauty the season of fall exhibited. Uncas had long ago told her Autumn represented life and death. The old year dying with the falling of the leaves, and the new year being born with the gathering of the harvest. Alice considered his explanation to be beautiful and poetic.

The year was 1761. The four years which had passed would find Alice Munro much changed since her arrival to this strange land in August of 1757. She had transformed from the timid English rose into a true woman of the frontier. She cooked, cleaned, helped plow the fields and tended to her beloved garden. Alice was confident, daring, bold, and strong-willed. Yes, Alice had changed much in those four short years. Even her proud, fine English friends wouldn't recognize her - but Alice didn't care, she had no intentions of ever setting foot on English soil ever again. The frontier was her home now, and she was happy here, happier then she had ever been before.

Since the battle between Uncas and Magua on Promontory cliff four years ago, a fight Uncas thankfully won, Alice never left his side. Even when Cora returned to England, to settle their father's estate and then promptly return, she refused the invite to go with her, stating she wanted to remain with Uncas; and stay she did. Over the course of the following months, Alice could often be found sitting, with Uncas, under the maple tree in the same clearing where they eventually built their cabin. They would spend hours talking, sometimes even into the late hours of the night, sharing stories of their families and childhood. Hearing him tell of his first hunt, excited Alice in such a way that she couldn't describe. His stories were like the adventures she had spent so much of her childhood reading. They were simply thrilling. As the couple grew in their knowledge of the other, so did their love: and when Cora returned three months later, the couple married the following December.

Alice smiled to herself as she fingered the simple gold ring on her left hand. The exchanging of wedding rings was a practice commonly observed only among white people; but Uncas insisted she should have one as well, despite her objections that she didn't need one. The argument was of no avail, for Uncas had his way in the end, and bought her a gold wedding band soon after. Later he would lament for not having bought her a jeweled ring, to which Alice would answer she wouldn't want any other ring, then the one he had given her. To say they were deeply in love with each other was an understatement in Alice's mind. She loved Uncas with every part of her body and every fiber of her soul, as he loved her in the same manner. Truly, she never remembered a happier time in her life.

As dusk began to fall, Alice turned and went back into the house where Cora sat playing with her son and daughter. The young girl of twenty-one years smiled at the sight of her sister playing with the little boy of two. Edmund Michael Poe looked exactly like his father, long brown hair, sharp refined features and piercing green eyes. Edmund's twin sister, Margaret Ann, looked more like her mother with each passing day. The only feature separating them was her hair. Where Cora had raven black tresses, Margaret's seemed to take on more of a golden hue. A memento from Cora and Alice's mother no doubt. A slight sentiment of envy rang through Alice. She knew it was wrong of her, but she couldn't help it. Alice had been married for four years, nearly a year longer than her sister, and she still hadn't been blessed with a child. Whereas Cora had two beautiful children, with another on the way. She knew that Uncas wanted children, and so did she. The two pregnancies Alice had, sadly both ended in miscarriages, one of which nearly claimed her life. It broke both of their hearts, knowing their unborn children had died, but Uncas held onto the hope that they would one day, be blessed with a child of their own. However, since then, she had been unable to conceive. Alice had lost all hope of becoming a mother, and she knew Uncas was beginning to lose faith as well.

"Are you all right?" Cora asked, noticing her sister was unusually quiet.

Awareness dawned on Alice's face as she went over and sat on her rocking chair in front of the fire. "I am fine, Cora. Just a little tired, that is all." She answered. Picking up the dark blue calico dress she was making for herself, she began to work on the hem.

Cora watched her sister closely while she worked diligently on the article of clothing. She was surprised at how easily Alice had taken to making her own clothes - especially since she was accustomed to having all her dresses made for her, and of the finest materials as well. Silk, brocade, satin and velvet, were the fabrics which once lined their wardrobes, was now replaced with simple cotton, linen and calico. The two sisters no longer donned the fine clothes and jewels as they were so used too. In fact, Alice found that she quite enjoyed the liberty from the restrictive corsets she was made to wear. She preferred the simple dresses she had learned to make for herself over the years.

"The dress looks very nice," Cora said.

"Thank you! I have enough fabric left to make a matching shirt for Uncas. I think he will simply look dashing in dark blue. Don't you?"

"Yes, he certainly will," she answered gayly. Alice continued on with her work in silence. But Cora's keen senses could tell there was something troubling her deeply, and she knew Alice wouldn't tell her what it was of her own volition.

"What's troubling you, Alice? You forget I can tell when something is wrong." She didn't answer. "Please tell me, my dear. Perhaps I may be able to help."

Alice paused her work and expelled a deep sigh. "Oh Cora, it is not as simple as that. I fear you shan't be able to help remedy what ails me."

Rising from her place on the floor, Cora came over and rested a hand on Alice's knees. "Oh, sweet girl, tell me what's bothering you."

She set her work down on the nearby table and thought for a long moment. 'Would Cora truly be able to help? Would she truly understand? I doubt it,' Alice said to herself. If only it was a simple matter and not one of jealousy.

"The truth is, Cora," she began, "that I envy you."

"Envy me? Why do you envy me?" Cora asked with wide eyes at her sister's sudden confession. 'Why would Alice be jealous of me?' she thought.

Alice looked at her sister and felt guilty for having ever said what she did. She felt the guilt the moment her lips parted to speak. But now Cora presented her with a question and it would only be right to answer. "Because you have been so blessed, where I have not."

Cora came closer and sat next to her sister. She placed a loving arm around her shoulders and thought for a very long moment before speaking. "Dear sweet Alice. You too have been blessed. Do you not see all there is to be thankful for? You have a beautiful home, health, and a man who adores you with every breath in his body. What is it I possess that you don't?"

She looked to her sister, tears beginning to whale in her eyes. "Children," she said. "You have children, and I have yet to be so graced." Tears fell freely down her cheeks, each leaving a trail in their wake. Cora pulled her closer and hugged her tightly.

"Oh, Cora!" she cried, "what am I to do? Uncas wanted children so badly, and I am unable to give him any. I know his father wants him to carry on the Mohican bloodline, and if I'm unable to conceive, then he may leave me. I don't want to lose him, Cora. I can't."

Cora held her sister close, consoling her as best she could. She now understood why Alice always became silent and withdrawn when the twins were present. It wasn't she didn't love them, she adored them. But Alice felt a sharp sting of pain when reminded of her two miscarriages. The deaths of her babies had taken a great toll on her spirit, even though she carried it in her stride. Cora sincerely understood Alice's pain. To lose a loved one, especially a child, is heartbreaking. The innocents' deaths affected everyone, but none more so than Uncas and Alice.

"My dear girl, it'll be alright. It'll be alright." She said.

"No, it won't."

Cora shifted away and locked her eyes on Alice's. "Listen to me, Alice, I know you're heartbroken, and I know Uncas is too. But listen, hope is not lost, not yet. It never truly is. One day, you and Uncas will sit out there on the steps of your cabin, watching your little ones play and climb the maple tree that both of you so love. I promise."

Alice wanted to believe her. She really did. She wanted the hope, faith, the reassurance, but all of that just seemed lost. Cora said she understood, but she didn't know all that had transpired in the previous months. Alice blamed herself for everything. All of it. The miscarriages. The inability to conceive a child. The growing distance between her and Uncas. Alice ladened all of it onto herself. She was plagued by their ghosts day and night. If only she had listened to Uncas, maybe then things would have been different. But her stubborn nature to help Uncas on that hot summer day in June got the better of her. She wanted to be of use. Wanted to work side by side with her husband. If only she had listened...

- June 1760 -

She had awoken that day with sharp pains shooting up her back and legs, and an unspeakable pressure in her abdomen. But the pains subsided just as quickly as it had appeared, so Alice thought little of it when she got dressed that morning. It was going to be a long hot day, Uncas had said so the night before, and she never remembered him being wrong when it came to the weather. Not once.

Alice looked over to where her husband still lay asleep on his side of the bed and smiled. He always looked so peaceful when he slept. Alice made it a habit to get up before he did, just so she could cook his breakfast.

On impulse she went over and brushed a stray lock of hair from his face, letting the back of her fingers glide across his cheek as she did. She smiled again, thinking about how lucky she counted herself to have such a man as Uncas for her partner in life. He had done so much for her. Given her everything. Alice now looked around their bedroom. It was modest and humble but she didn't mind.

Spread out across the hard wooden floor was an Elks hide, which Uncas had shot the Spring following Promontory. In the corner to the right of the East window that looked towards the lake, mountains, and fields, was a fireplace, a true luxury for most. Beside the window, sat two rocking chairs, which Chingachgook and Nathaniel had carved for them as a wedding gift. There were many evenings when the couple would sit there in the glow of the warm fire, and look out upon the lake. Other times too, they would spend their nights reading a novel Uncas had bought for Alice from the traveling pedlar, Thomas Wright, or just Old Tom for short. He would pass by their farm every few weeks or so to trade and bring them the latest news from the surrounding settlements. Situated between the West facing windows, looking out to the maple tree, sat their bed with its simple feather mattress and quilted coverlet. The quilt previously mentioned, had been made by Alice's mother during her long confinement in bed with tuberculosis. Cora had brought it back from her final expedition to England and gave it to Alice, knowing she would want it as a memento from their late mother. And Alice treasured it, as though it were made the finest silk and not from old cotton patches.

True, it was not Portman Square. It was better.

Outside a lark sang it's morning tune far off in the maple tree. Drawn back from her thoughts, Alice leaned down and placed a feather-light kiss on Uncas's cheek before rising to leave. She felt a hand take hold of her wrist and stop her. Looking down, she saw Uncas smiling back to her, his eyes now wide open. "What did I tell you about waking at the crack of dawn?" He asked in a groggy voice.

Alice sat down on the edge of the bed as he rolled over and kissed her. "I know. But I wanted to prepare your breakfast. We have a long day ahead in store for us." She said, referring to the plowing they were going to do to prepare for planting the following week.

"No, I have a long day ahead of me. You must stay inside and rest." Uncas informed his wife firmly. His hands traveled to her extended belly where their child grew inside her. "You must rest, Alice. Remember what the doctor said?"

She huffed and crossed her arms, plastering a vexed expression on her face. "O pish posh! what does that doctor know? He's not a woman. He's a greedy arrogant fool, who looks down on you and is reluctant to attend to me. I believe he would turn me away from his door if it weren't for one thing. Money. Doctor Ashford is nothing more than a pompous old windbag!"

Uncas let out a soft laugh. "But he is a doctor none the less." He pecked her on the cheek before rising and pulling on his shirt and buckskin leggings. Alice remained sitting with her arms crossed. "Please pet, don't exert yourself. I will handle the work today. Hawkeye and nooch are coming to help, and so is Cora and the children."

"Well, I may not be allowed to help you plow, but I can at least work in the garden," she said stubbornly. "There's weeding to be done if we are to plant vegetables and fruit before August."

"No, I will tend to the garden as well."

Alice shot him an irritated look but gave in. There was no point arguing about it. "Alright!" she agreed, releasing an exaggerated sigh.

Uncas flashed her a smile as he finished fastening the wampum belt about his waist and tucked his knife and sheath into it. He came over to where she still sat and leaned down, gently pressing his lips against hers. He then asked with a wide grin: "Now, how about that breakfast?"

The day wore on slowly. By noon Uncas, with the assistance of Nathaniel, had plowed most of the south field. Despite the adventurous life he once led, Uncas took to being a farm owner quickly. It was easy to see that he enjoyed it immensely. As for Nathaniel and Cora, they lived just a little ways down the path and shared in the work and care of the farm. Both brothers worked the land together and shared the spoils they reaped each year. Chingachgook, after much consideration, settled into a peaceful life with Cora and Nathaniel, while also making frequent visits to his son and daughter-in-law. All in all, life seemed perfect for everyone. Everyone but Alice that was.

Alice watched the hard laborers from her bedroom window. She felt so useless, sitting indoors knitting a blanket for her baby, which would not be born for another four months. She wanted to help, and that made her angry. Angry at Uncas, angry at herself. Nathaniel, who was carrying his daughter on his back, urged the horses onward further up the field. Even Cora was out there being of use. With her son secured in a papoose on her back, she sauntered about the field gathering rocks and weeds and tossing them out of the way. Why couldn't Alice help as well? It wasn't fair in the girl's mind. None of it was. She looked back down at her near finished knitting project and tossed it into the basket on her lap.

"I'll be damned if I have to sit here another moment!" she said to herself. "I'm going out there and at least do something that is of use. Even if it is picking wild berries for supper!"

With that, she tossed the basket on the floor, got up from her seat, and walked out into the open air and down the path into the woods. Well, at least she would get some exercise in, as well as peace and quiet away from her doting family. Ever since the announcement was made that she was expecting, Alice had been barely allowed to pour herself a glass of water. Ever since she had this never ending feeling of slothfulness, and she hated it. So the chance to take a walk alone without the disturbance of others was a welcome change. Alice reveled in the peacefulness of nature. Her hand began to softly rub her protruding belly. She hummed an old Scottish lullaby her mother used to sing to her, and one she planned to sing to her baby when he or she was born. Alice longed for a son; a strong little Mohican, just like his father. But Uncas wanted a daughter with golden hair like her mother. If only he possessed Alice's keen motherly intuition. They would have a son, of that she was certain.

She had barely traversed a half mile when her eyes spotted their prize. There, down by the creek, was the biggest huckleberry bush she had ever seen, covered in thousands of juicy berries just waiting to be picked. Alice came closer and took in the aroma of the wildflowers surrounding the shrub covered in little nuggets of black gold. Reaching out she picked one of the juicy berries from among the thorns and ate it, savoring its sweetness. She filled her basket, filled it to the brim. She thought about how happy Uncas would be when she baked him a pie from her newly acquired treasure.

As she neared the house, a sudden, stabbing pain rang through Alice's slender frame, exactly like the one she experienced that morning. It felt like a white hot knife was being pushed into her belly. A cry stifled in her throat, tangling with her breath and causing her to reach for the nearest tree for support. When the ache subsided, she continued walking back to the glade. 'Just a few more steps,' she told herself nearing the border of the forest. 'Just a few more.'

Tightly she clung to a tree as another excruciating pain radiated through her body. Her eyes traveled downwards and saw blood beginning to pool on the soft earth. Alice's heart nearly stopped beating at the thought of her child in danger.

"Uncas!" she screamed out, falling to her knees as another stabbing sensation rang through her. "Uncas! Someone help! Help! Uncas!"

Halting his work, the young Mohican's warrior senses seemed to hear the call of distress before it was even sounded. Darting in the direction where the sound of his wife's voice had come, Uncas, followed by his brother and father, found Alice lying on the ground, her skirts drenched in blood. Uncas mirrored the look of terror on her face as he scooped her into his arms and ran back to the house...

Present day

Alice lost the baby. Stress. That's what the doctor said it was. Stress which brought on her sudden travail. But Alice knew that it wasn't so. Once again, Dr. Ashford was wrong. He had also said it was miraculous that Alice survived, considering the great amount of blood she lost. The girl's entire body was racked with pain and weakness. Yet none of that could be compared to the pain of her soul.

As she had predicted, it was a boy. She was allowed to see him before they wrapped him up to be buried. He was beautiful. Although only five months developed, Alice could see that he would've indeed taken after his father in appearance. Wisps of dark hair were on his head and his skin already bore a dark complexion. Alice held him and kissed him and cried for him. Her little boy would never see the faces of the parents who were so anxious to meet him. Never hear his mothers voice when she sang him the Scottish lullabies she had learned from her mother. Her little boy.

Fresh tears streaked Alice's face at the remembrance of her little son buried in the field of wildflowers by the creek. He didn't even have a name. Only a little wooden cross, on which a single feather was tied, marked the grave. She looked back to her sister still seated next to her. Alice realized there was no point telling her about the struggles between her and Uncas. It wouldn't be right to burden her with her problems. Instead, she smiled and rested her hand atop her sisters.

"Thank you, Cora! I hope you're right." The corner of her sister's lips curved upwards into a soft, reassuring smile. "I'm very tired. I think I'll retire. Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!" Cora said watching Alice's figure disappear down the hall and into her room.

Little did Alice know that her sister was indeed correct about her earlier prediction. Soon, she too would be sitting happily watching children play by the old maple tree.

The End

[lafiametta]

Learned by Heart ~ A Last of the Mohicans AU

1883. The Montana Territory. It was a world away from their privileged upbringing in Boston, yet Nathaniel Poe and his sister Alice were determined to finally reach the frontier town of Missoula, and from there find employment as schoolteachers among the children of miners and homesteaders. But when their stagecoach was attacked by bandits, both siblings were more than a little surprised to find a dark-haired rancher’s daughter and her adopted Blackfoot brother coming to their rescue. Even more surprising were the bonds that quickly began to form as their makeshift party made their way across the open plains: first between the self-assured Nathaniel and the fiercely independent Cora Munro, and then between young Alice and the quiet and loyal Uncas. 

[lafiametta]

fandom meme

I was tagged by @wildcard47 — thank you!

In return, I’ll tag @arcticelves, @gigi-sinclair, @jeynepoole, @draculas-gay-daughter, @whalersandsailors, @radiojamming, and @pooraurora (but, as always, no pressure!)

Fandoms: 14 (at least according to AO3)

Number of fics: 46

Fic I spent the most time on: If we’re counting active time (that is, time was actually working, rather than just thinking about a half-written fic and feeling bad about it), then “Time To Take Her Home,” which I worked on for at least a good two and a half months before I got distracted by Mad Max: Fury Road. 

Fic I spent the least time on: I wrote “A Mission of the Utmost Importance” in a few hours, because it was a ridiculous Rogue One Christmas Shopping AU crack fic and like a mayfly, it was never meant to exist (unwritten in my head) longer than a day. 

Longest fic: “Time To Take Her Home” (Sons of Anarchy) at 54,441

Shortest fic: “The Target” (Rogue One) at 874

Most hits: “The Redeemer” (Mad Max: Fury Road)

Most kudos: “The Redeemer” (Mad Max: Fury Road) 

Most comment threads: “Parhelion” (The Terror)

Most bookmarks: “The Redeemer” (Mad Max: Fury Road)

Total word count: 328,063

Favorite fic: I will still always love “The Wilderness,” my Last of the Mohicans Alice x Uncas fix-it fic!

Fic I most want to expand on/rewrite: I’ve been toying around with working on a prequel to “You, beloved”/“Without feet” that’s written from Little’s perspective. It would consist entirely of awkward pining and clumsy attempts at conversation, but, hey, that’s Edward Little, you know? 

Share a bit of a wip/story idea you’re working on: I’ve still got a bunch of those kissing prompts from back in March and I’ve been working on a Hartving one. I’ll share the beginning, at least:

Lieutenant Irving’s cabin was small, narrow enough that Tom could have spanned his arms and come close to touching the walls, but it was snug and tidy and a great deal quieter than the fo’c’sle. At this time of night, the men would be readying themselves for sleep, smoking a pipe as they dragged their hammocks into place, talking and laughing amongst each other. Inevitably, one of them—Wentzall, more often than not—would loudly break wind and then blame it on the ship’s dog, a foolish joke that never seemed to get any funnier no matter how many times it was performed.

Lieutenant Irving, Tom was certain, had never farted for the amusement of an audience, much less tried to pin the responsibility on an innocent dog.

[lafiametta]

I was tagged by @davantagedenuit for the fic meme — thank you!

Author name: lafiametta (on Tumblr, AO3, ff.net)

Fandoms you write for: At this point, it’s really just The Terror, but previous fandoms have included Timeless, Damnation, Still Star-Crossed, Spartacus, Emerald City, Rogue One, Mercy Street, Outsiders, Poldark, Sons of Anarchy, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Last of the Mohicans, Centurion, Robin Hood (2010)

Where you post: Tumblr and AO3

Most popular one-shot: “The Redeemer” (Mad Max: Fury Road, Max/Furiosa, 4.8K, rated E)

Most popular multi-chapter story: “Black Coffee, Cherry Pie” (Poldark, Ross/Demelza Modern AU, 8K, rated T)

Favorite story you wrote: I will always love my alternate-ending Last of the Mohicans fic, “The Wilderness,” and its sequel, “The Flames” — Alice and Uncas are the original OTP!

Story you were nervous to post: “Around which the heavens pulse” (posting E-rated fic always makes me super nervous!)

How do you choose your title: Sometimes I’ll come across a good line from the canon to borrow, although my recent Jopson/Little fic titles have all come from Rainer Maria Rilke poetry

Do you outline: For multi-chapter fics, I definitely have a plan for each chapter and for one-shots, it’s generally a sense of the major plot points I want to try to hit — but in both cases, I try not to plan too much so that I can let some ideas come to me as I’m writing

Complete works: 34 on AO3, plus a few older ones on ff.net

WIPs: A sad number of unfinished multi-chapter fics (8?), and I must admit that for many of them the progress has eeked to a halt... (sorry, friends!)

Coming soon: Working on a two-ship Terror prompt for @arcticelves, which I’m hoping to be able to post soon!

If I accept prompts: Of course! 

Upcoming story you are most excited to write: At this point, I don’t really have much on the back burner (or the front burner) in terms of possible fics, but I’m hoping to get back into writing soon, once work dies down a bit...

I think most everyone I’ve seen has been tagged on this one, but if you haven’t and you want to do it, consider yourself tagged! :)