Pocahontas forced a smile. āY-yes, just fine, Iām sureā¦ā she echoed. For the true reason she had asked the question was not so much that she expected him to be nervous, but that she was herself. Would her father second guess her decision? Would he be critical of Rolfe? What would he think of it when he finally learned that John Smith was still alive? And what of Tatonayak, the warrior who had asked Powhatan for her hand just a week before she had departed for London? He had been on a spirit quest when John Rolfe had arrived, thus denying him the chance to protest to her departure. Not that she cared much for his opinion, but he certainly did have the charisma to rile up the other warriors and the whole tribe when something pissed him off.
Pocahontas found herself sinking into her worried thoughts just as the breakfast bell rang, which startled her out of her reverie. āCome ān get it!ā cried the galley chef.
Pocahontas crinkled her lip. āI donāt know about you, John, but I canāt stomach any more gruel or biscuits. The harvest festival should be starting this week so we have many feasts to look forward to when we reach land. Iād prefer to wait,ā she professed, scratching Meeko behind the ears. Percy immediately perked up at the mention of the word āfeasts.ā He waddled over to Pocahontas and looked up at her, drooling profusely. Then he yapped a few times.
Glancing up, Pocahontas could see her favorite diving cliff in the distance as it loomed nearer. She hoped the water was not too cold yet so she could have one last swan dive before the cold season came. She did not mind chilly water. She sighed, feeling a sense of loss at the passing of the warm season. She had spent over half the year performing a gravely important duty for the survival of her tribe and, in doing so, had missed all the fun that came with spring and summer. It was something she looked forward to every year, and this year she had missed it. But maybe, with any luck, there would be a little bit left for her to enjoy.
She glanced up at John Rolfe with a small smirk, thinking the most fun of all would be dragging him into it. Since Nakomaās marriage, she had been far less available for their old fun and games. But in John Rolfeās case, Pocahontas was fortunate to command his full attention. She poked him. āIf the water isnāt too cold, do you want to go swimming when we get back?ā she asked.
Rolfe knew by now how to recognize the signs that something was bothering her, due to her unusual smile and repetition of his own words hesitantly. He could not be sure, but could only assume she was also nervous about breaking the news to her father. As she had every right to be. He was not sure of her full history with John Smith, but he could only imagine that caused some friction before, and so for Pocahontas to bring another suitor from the land across the ocean was probably going to be awkward. Nonetheless, he was willing to do whatever it took to prove himself worthy to her people. Both he and Pocahontas had worked so hard for peace between their respective worlds, and unintentionally, their union could very well bring that dream to fruition.
He doesnāt have time to dwell on these thoughts once breakfast is announced, and he snaps back to the present conversation. He winces a little and nods to her reluctance to eat. āThe food on board does get tiring after a while. ...Just try not to go too long without eating, Pocahontas.ā The tone is his voice is very gentle, not as a command but genuine concern. āBut I look forward to experiencing the wonderful food your people make. If I can be of any help in this festival-ā His words are interrupted by Meekoās yaps, to which he grins with a raised eyebrow.
It doesnāt take long for the impressive landscape ahead to gain more clarity. Rolfe notices her watching the horizon and its features with focus. He can only imagine sheās recognizing specific parts of her homeland, often traveled. Just as he steps more closely alongside her to watch, she springs a question he doesnāt expect. His face exposes a tremendous blush. āSwimming? I, Iād have to, I mean if thatās something we could- if thereās nothing that- erm,ā He stammers through, trying to form a sentence that he hasnāt even managed to establish mentally yet. For his gentlemanly customs, it would be pushing boundaries a bit too far, but it was clear to Pocahontas it was not the case for her people. Or at least for her. And after all, he was committed to her completely.
Still rather flustered, Rolfe manages to finish his thoughts. āIf itās a suitable temperature for swimmingā¦I suppose we can. Of course.ā Manners restrained him from any enthusiastic āyesā, but he would be grateful for some time alone with her. Not in the sense that he planned on trying anything - he didnāt - but the two of them had been so busy on their journey, it would be wonderful to wind down and enjoy one anotherās company without pressing matters.