Wow, I'm back! Sorry for the long wait, but the inspiration just hasn't been there. Well, here's the next chapter and I hope you like it. I'm twisting history a little as far as the order of events, etc, but it's just to fit the story. Alright, read and review for me! Any input is appreciated! Enjoy.
A/N- Okay, for anyone wondering, the story takes place in the late summer of 1609. The flashbacks are from early 1608 to more recent ones. The first part is a flashback to John's time in London after he's wounded in the movie. The second part is the present, after the council meeting and the same time of evening as the last chapter was. Chapter 6
An Officer and A Gentleman
In the officer of the treasurer of the Virginia Company in London, John Smith sat impatiently tapping his fingers on the desk in front of him. The room in which he sat was a testament to the fact that the expedition to the New World was not going as planned.
The desk Smith was sitting in front of was the most expensive piece in the room which led John to believe the Treasurer must have brought it in for himself. The company would not spend its remaining funds to furnish an office, although their money has been used for less important matters. There was little more present. The chair used by Smith was small and simple and the bookcase near the wall held dozens of books and records important to the company.
The small window, overlooking the streets of London, brought bright sunlight into the dark room. John Smith sat staring out at the blue sky, wishing for nothing more at that moment than to be sailing once again, with nothing but that same blue sky ahead of him and the knowledge that he was heading to the New World once again to be with his beloved.
His face fell in boredom and frustration. Where was this man? It came as no surprise that this so-called gentleman, like all of his kind, would keep someone waiting in this way, knowing that there was a pressing matter awaiting their input. John Smith was not a man to put up with gentleman. He had enough of them in Jamestown. The stupid fools who would rather starve to death than lift a hand to help build shelter, find food, or bring water for the colony.
But thank Heaven for the others. Ben, Lon, Thomas, and all the others who were giving their all to make it work; that is what John liked to see. To see those men doing back-breaking while the 'gentlemen' sat back and enjoy what they did not help to achieve angered Smith. Those, among other reasons, made him come to the Virginia Company to personally relate the problems facing the colony of Jamestown. He had plenty to say and, he knew, little time to say it in. No one would be willing to listen to what he had to say, but he was going to try his hardest.
Smith jumped, startled from his daze, as the door opened.
"Ah, Captain Smith. It certainly is a pleasure to see you here again."
"Sir Smythe, how do you do? I was wondering when you'd show up" John said as he stood up to greet the man.
"So sorry about that, but I was in the middle of a lengthy conversation with a fellow member of the Company. It seems he wants to sell a stallion that I've had my eye on for quite a while. A man can never have too many horses, you know?" Sir Smythe laughed as he held out his hand. Smith refused to shake. Already, he had been insulted by this man who would rather talk about a horse than to meet with him.
Sir Smythe cleared his throat uncomfortably and walked over to his desk, taking a seat in the chair behind it.
Sir Thomas Smythe was the Treasurer of the Virginia Company and he, of all people, knew of the financial problems facing his Company from lawsuits to the lack of wealth coming from the colonies. He heard complaints from everyone and John Smith was one that he did not want to listen to. John Smith knew what was going on in the colony, knew the problems first hand, and was not afraid to voice them.
"What is it that you would like to speak with me about Captain Smith?" Sir Smythe asked impatiently, now that the formalities were out of the way and, with Captain Smith's refusal of the handshake, the politeness was of no use.
"I came here to discuss Jamestown. Surely you already knew that" John said. His demeaning tone infuriated Sir Smythe.
"I am fully aware of the problems this colony is facing Smith. I do not need another lecture from anyone; especially you. We are doing all we can."
"I don't believe you are. And I very seriously doubt that you know exactly what is happening over there. You've never been have you?"
Sir Smythe said nothing. He only stared impatiently at John, tapping his fingers in the same way Captain Smith did earlier.
"Well, if you haven't been, I don't see how you could possibly know what is going on" John continued. "My men are suffering. There's a shortage of food. To be perfectly honest, it's gone past a shortage; they're starving. Have you even considered sending more provisions? Or do you and your associates believe we can fend for ourselves in a completely unfamiliar part of the world with Native's wanting to push us out every day?"
"And here I thought you were on friendly terms with the Savages, Smith? Whatever happened?" Smythe asked. A sly smile came over his face as he watched the blonde man in front of him.
"I'm not talking about those people. The Powhatan tribe is our ally. I'm referring to the other tribes; the ones who don't want us there and would love to see us dead."
"Well, we knew there would be hostile Natives, Smith. You should have been prepared for that. We sent many weapons along with you. You have guns, do you not? And cannons? Surely this can hold back an attack."
"That's not enough to even begin to do battle with them. And the cannons are only good to scare them away, but the effect didn't last long. They caught on too soon."
"What else would you like for us to do? We've sent you weapons and more men were sent. More are preparing to ship out."
"That's another thing I'd like to discuss. These men you keep sending; they're doing nothing but putting the colony in more trouble. They sit around all day and refuse to work – refuse. When are you planning on sending men we can use?" John stressed the last word and leaned in closer to meet the gaze of Smythe. "The colony, if it's to survive, needs tradesmen. We have some, that's true, but not enough to fulfill your plans."
"Smith, we have shipped more than enough men over there. Yes, there are some that are not the working type, but they do have a share in this company. Do you honestly believe that the Virginia Company would turn down an investor? Money? Surely, you must be joking."
"I'm doing nothing of the sort, sir. I'm being truthful. You know perfectly well what these men are like, you're one yourself, and yet you will not do anything about it. It's all about the money, isn't it? Of course there's nothing important about the lives of your fellow man. That would be terribly silly, wouldn't you say?" John was clearly irritated by what Smythe was saying and it was evident in his body language. Angry hands shook in front of the face of the Treasurer as John spoke, but Sir Smythe remained calm.
"From what I've seen in letters from the men, they have things under control. Have you not heard a word from them since you left? Have you even let them know you survived your wound? Perhaps they think they're leader is gone?"
"They do not think that" John said quickly, thinking of Pocahontas and how she would feel if she heard that he was dead. "The letters you receive, as you know, contain only what you allow them to write." John stopped for a moment, thinking, and then he continued on. "What letters have you received since I've been back?"
Sir Smythe pulled out a folded letter from the top drawer of his desk and handed it to Smith. "I believe you know this young man."
John opened the letter and began to read. He skimmed quickly through, finding some phrases particularly interesting. "The crops are doing very well. The Powhatans' farming methods are working surprisingly well; better than our own."
'Well, I'm glad to know they're not going without now' John thought. His mind was eased with this news. Maybe things were not as bad as he once believed? Not anymore at least. He continued to read, mumbling the words to himself, taking in the overall meaning of the letter.
"Pocahontas has finally returned to the colony after a long period of time where she ceased her visits after the departure of Captain Smith" the letter went on to say.
'My poor Pocahontas' John thought, 'she really must think me dead.'
"Although her visits were not frequent at first, she came to be a regular guest of ours and has taken a liking to guiding me through the forest surrounding our town. The best hunting and fishing grounds are now available to us because of her. And, I must say, the two of us are becoming quite close. This will prove to be wonderful for the well-being of the colony, but I do enjoy the Native woman's company. She is remarkably intelligent, something that you may find astounding from the Native community, and she is also something of a little diplomat."
John laughed at the last statement. She was always the peacekeeper. Pocahontas could not stand to see someone fight, even if it was only Percy and Meeko.
The name at the bottom of the page caught John's eye and he smiled. "Sincerely, Thomas Archer."
'I'm glad Pocahontas is being taken care of,' he thought.
Folding the letter back to its correct position, John handed it to Smythe.
"That has not been censored, as you can see. There are no marks on that letter. The words are original. The author is a 'tradesman' as you put it, although one of our less experienced ones. So you see things are not as bad as you thought, Smith. Before you come in here and tell me how to do my job, check your sources. I know how to run this company, and I will not have you ruining everything just when things are turning around." Sir Smythe stood up from his chair and headed towards the door. Opening it, he looked towards John. The young captain knew it was time to leave. He was not in good standing with any of the members of the Virginia Company. They only tolerated him, and even that was rarely enforced.
"Good day Captain Smith. I sincerely hope we will not have to meet again…under any circumstances" Sir Smythe said, and John took this time to calmly walk out of the room with his head held high. Why should he give this man another reason to gloat?
John Smith lay on his bed, exhausted from the council meeting. He was thinking over the events of that day; the day he went to Sir Smythe. Why did he go to Smythe's office? He could have left it alone and spared himself the humiliation of being wrong. The colony would have made it without his help, would it not?
No, he had to keep trying. He had to fight for the colony now. He was the leader. Even though the colony was thriving, problems still existed. People looked to him for guidance, and even with the embarrassment of that day fresh in his mind, he still pressed on for the good of the colony.
He sighed as another thought crossed his mind; a thought that stayed with him for many hours these days. The letter Thomas wrote seemed so innocent at the time. Why did he not think anything about it? Why couldn't he see the underlying meaning? And, I must say, the two of us are becoming quite close. That line read over and over again in Smith's mind. It was a clue he overlooked, and now it was too late. He could never be with his Pocahontas again.
Or could he?
John sat straight up. He had to do something. His heart was too full of love for this woman to just let her go. She did not seem happy the day he saw her with Anne. Maybe she was feeling the same way as he? There's was only one way to find out. John had to speak with Pocahontas.