Oh my, what a long time you wonderful people have waited. Well, college took over, it still has and I actually started writing this when on Tuesday (17th) I have two serious assignments to hand in but I'm feeling a bit down and remembered this story which I had left for such a long time but I will complete it! I re-watched ROTG to get my head in order.
For those following my other stories:
-I will not continue Danny Phantom: Afterlife lessons. Why? Because it was crap, badly written. I wrote it mainly because I was a little weirdo that wanted to see my hero get crushed and used and abused but I do not consider it worth continuing. Sorry... if you liked it.
-Homeward Bound is actually half way through the next chapter; I've been doing that one in my bored moments. HB is one of those stories that I feel comfortable writing where as this one I have to do a LOT of researching to make sure there are not any plot holes or WTF Author? Moments but after re-reading it I realized there are a few things I need to edit but they're not massively important.
So where did we leave off? (To save you re-reading last chapter):

Jack has finally got a new horse. Not only that but Elias bought it for him.

Jack is also in possession of a letter dropped by Elias, will he accidentally read it or give it back?

Ellana over heard, Albert, Magwitch and Albert's father talking about something suspicious but Billy and Lillian (Jack's mother) told her to not mind it but she is still very curious.

Jack and Ellana's wedding will be on the Sunday that marks the beginning of spring.

Jack has been given the top of the hill by his father: Eugene.

The war of the Spanish succession is beginning, Elias and his men have kept the threat of war quiet from the village to avoid frightening them, they justify that telling them would cause worry when they are so far inland it will not matter.

The Mohingan Tribe continue to attack the village, recently stealing a herd of cattle from Magwitch.

There! How good am I? Anyway there you are a little reminder...

Also for those interested there is talk of an ROTG being made! How exciting is that? More Jack angst please? : 3

Disclaimer: The original ROTG characters belong to Dreamworks, events within this story are based on real events but characters are solely fictional and any representations between this and real life is completely coincidental.

HAPPY COPYRIGHT PEOPLE!?

The first encounter

Elias looked back worriedly. He'd lost something important and it had been troubling him for quite some time now.
Timothy reined Shutter close and asked softly, "perhaps you dropped it when we came galloping across that open flat?"

"No, I had it last night, I'm sure of it".

Timothy bit his lip, "that could be troublesome."

"Yes. I will be, perhaps you were right Timothy, perhaps I should let go of the past. It will come to hurt me and... Others should that letter be found and read by the wrong person."
Timothy glanced into the distance, eyes narrowed against the glow of the snow.

"I don't think so now Elias. You've come so far, let that boy in this group now. You could talk-"
"I couldn't. Words can be said when tempers are high and god help you if you said something to him," Elias growled sending the man a warning glance.
Timothy leaned back into his saddle looking upset and disgruntled. "Never have I gone behind your back, my friend, never will I plan to do so!"

The two were quiet, allowing hurt thoughts to be quietened by the sound of Sam Crouch laughing jovially with Oliver and Ike.

"I'm sorry Timothy," Elias finally conceded, looking utterly miserable.

"There is no harm done, my friend."
"I am terrified; I can only admit that to you. If I speak out now, there will be uproar. If I don't and my sins are brought out then there would be just the same reaction. I do care for this village, I care for the people but their beliefs will cloud their good judgement."

"I'm sure you are only thinking of the worst, these are special circumstances, and I could speak to the clergy if you like?"
"I'd have to talk to Lillian first."
"Does that mean you are going to speak out?" Timothy prompted.

"No, it does not. It means I am thinking about it, especially now. After all, we are in times where love becomes something more than religion; we're a free land are we not?"
"Well, you better call Jack to slow down before he adventures too far into the free land."

Elias looked up to see Jack's horse was off again. Such an excitable spirit it had. It hadn't yet been spoiled by spur or work and he hoped that the creature wouldn't for it had such a handsome spark in its eyes.

He smiled lopsidedly, humming for a moment.

He should see by the way Jack's head bobbed and hands came to brush along its neck every few seconds that the boy was talking to the animal. How curious.

"He's a special kind of child isn't he?" Elias said fondly, "I might let him carry on, see how long he goes before realising he's quite far ahead."

Timothy chuckled good naturedly, "well at least the wolves would be more interested in the horse than him. That or they use him to pick their teeth."

Ahead, Jack's steed spooked. It didn't charge off, it was testing its rider. Jack yelped something profound and the horses' ears came forward as if mocking him.

Elias laughed along with Tim as the three others finally came closer to join in the conversation.

"What a day," Oliver supplied coming alongside the right flank, "what a day for a good gallop, what do you say? Test that new beast out? We'll get half way before sunset and be home by late evening tomorrow."
"Are you worried about the weather, Oliver?" Asked Ike out of interest.
"When in winter, skies as blue as these, so calm... usually bring terrible cold the following days."

Sam huffed at the rear, "and you're going to lose a horse and rider if we don't catch them both up."

"Let us ride on then," Elias said, rolling his eyes and using very little energy to urge Brennan forward. The powerful steel horse snorted and jumped forward with long powerful strides.

The snow was sent in all directions and equine ears came forward in joy to move so quickly on such a glorious day. They caught up to Jack who failed to notice they were at a gallop now. His horse jumped forward, he shouted out with surprise, the reins short and it reared in confusion. He went up boxing at the air with rider coming forward to stay balance; cloak waving wondrously in the air like a flag.

Elias had to steady Brennan's speed to watch, a moment of awe passing his face, the sun's rays hitting Jack and his mount just right. This boy was going to be something special. He could feel it. In his stomach, a gut feeling.

A wild smile cut its was across the boy's lips as his horse had all four feet on the ground once more, he sent Elias a defiant, challenging look and kicked the animal on into a speedy gallop.
A challenge?
Brennan would easily catch up, Elias was sure and he urged, pushed and called out in a sudden rush of adrenaline.

Race hard and ride hard. He came up alongside the youngest of their group. He could feel the powerful animal underneath him, charging just like Jack on his. They spared a glance at each other. There would be no finish line. They were flawing it across the track to simply have fun.

Elias allowed the startled shout of his men to fall mute against the howling wind as they thundered down the incline, across the gully, over a brook and forward.

On and on and on they went. Neither horse giving in, their own silent battle going on as they eyed each other.

There was a fallen log ahead.
Sobering, Elias began to pull up. Brennan found this insulting especially as Jack sent him a victorious grin and urged his animal on with great confidence. "Come on, come on!"
"Steady on Jack or he'll hit it!" Elias called, taking the challenge but feeling relieved when Jack allowed his horses thundering hoofed to collect as they both bounded perfectly over the log and howled with glee and happiness as their mounts finally relented.

They were both now very tired, the horses I mean. Their nostrils were flared and mouths foamy. However they walked with a bounce, ears flickering, waiting for instruction.

"I haven't ridden like that for a long time," Elias allowed, leaning back and giving Brennan a good pat for his efforts.
"I rode like that last week. I still have an ache in my shoulder to remind me, " Jack hummed back to the man.

Snow churning in the background alerted them to the others and Elias found himself grinning wildly.
"I think we have the fastest horses in Burgess."
"In the world," Jack countered optimistically.

"In the world? That's a big place for you to assume the best of your horse, a lot of people will challenge you. You know so little about him as well."

"I know him quite well I think," Jack disagreed, earning him an exasperated look from Elias. "Seriously, it's like the lambs at home. I've seen many in my life time and every single one of them is unique."
"Is that so?" Elias chuckled, thinking Jack was having him on.
"Yes, some are shy and won't come to me while others climb over me as soon as their born. I look at them now and know what their going to be like when I look at their eyes."
Elias realised Jack was talking seriously at this point, not sure how to reply to that he offered conversationally, "You must be bored sitting on that hill, talking to sheep and thinking they are like men."

"I don't think them like men," Jack grumbled with annoyance, "I just get to know them and I think I have figured my own horse out."

"I see." Elias said with much thought, "do you think the sheep run and play for fun?"
"Well, yes, I think they do."

Jack gripped the crook tightly against his right rein and felt its wooden texture against his soft skin.
He suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, yes."
The boy let go of the reins completely, this earned a few choice words of dissent at this. Jack sent him a playful smirk, earning back a roll of the eyes. The younger of the two poked through his pockets before pulling out a letter. "It's a good thing I remembered."

Elias's eyes nearly popped from his skull.

"You left this in the inn, I picked it up but forgot about it when we looked around for the horses, and I suppose it was when Timothy was left with me." He joked holding out the letter to Elias who reached for it far too quickly.

His men came trotting up behind, Timothy looking from one to the other with wide eyed disbelief.

"I thought you weren't going to say anything to the lad?"
Elias grabbed thee letter off of Jack, eyeing the boy's obvious confusion at Timothy's word before Elias recovered easily, "Sorry about leaving you boys, I just had to show Jackie here how a real man rides."
Jack's confusion was suddenly forgot as he protested, "if it weren't for the snow I'd be a mile ahead."
This earned an indignant huff from Oliver, "my Misfit would be half way across America before then dear boy!"

The boy then began to share banter with the others, good humour written across his face as Sam Crouch moaned about life and Oliver humoured him.
Timothy came up beside Elias who was flagging.
"I apologise_"
"No, don't, I am fine. I... I am a little shocked. For a moment there I think my heart stopped. I thought he'd read it. Most children are so nosy; do you think he still could of?"

"No child would keep something like that locked up, as smart and good natured the boy is... I don't think he'd just be able to sit comfortably again. Not without saying something."
"I feel terrible, my friend."
Timothy frowned in sympathy.

"You know," Elias spoke softly to him, suddenly after such a long time. They had made it to the half way point, pausing the horses, Jack and Oliver trotting off to check the perimeter, Ike preparing his bow to hunt and Sam already off of his horse and creating an are for the camp-site, "-half of me wishes he'd have read it."

His companion shrugged, half heartedly, "let fate decide Elias."

"I will, I have no intention to interfere, not at this moment in time."
He dismounted Brennan, Timothy did the same giving his horse a good pat as Ike cantered off to where Jack and Oliver's trail lead, bow in air.

"Some would be inclined to think you are in charge of children."
"Have you only just realised?" Elias laughed and began to unpack his saddle bags.

The three men came back about an hour later, Jack shouting in joy, "Look what I caught Elias, look!"
Elias looked up from his fire that had just been born and the men had took the initiative to go hunting it would seem.

Two hares dangled from the hands of both Ike and Oliver, Jack has one too.
"Ike let me use his bow," Jack told him as their leader stood.

"Kids got to have some fun sometime," Isaac said rolling his shoulders and dismounting. Sam Crouch looked up from where he had Harvest and Riley tied to a tree and rolled his eyes in distaste.
"ah, you do care!" Jack almost purred, hopping from his own saddle.

Exhaustion was beginning to settle in their ranks, the horses plodded dolefully in the snow and Jack couldn't help but pull the hood of his cloak over his head. First it had snowed, little white flakes cascading ominously before it sleeted down.

Wet, sharp needles that hurt when they contacted flesh. Jack was grateful it had ended but now he was wet above the waste and on the knees. He shivered despite himself, Sam moaned in the background. The sun had come up.

"At least," Oliver piped up, "It is cool enough to sleet now. Spring is coming."

"Ah, yes," Ike joined in, your lambs would be born soon Jack, is that right?"
"It's usually nice and warm before there is any sight of lamb," Jack shrugged, watching the crows caw and circle them worriedly.

"I'll be back to my darling misses," Oliver grinned "-and you yours Jack".

He flushed a little, "y-yes."

They laughed and he couldn't help but smile.

The crows cawed louder. Jack looked up and this time Elias did as well. Riley snorted at something they could not see and like a whirlwind Isaac has his bow out and was pointing it at the tree line as they came to the bottom of an incline in the forest.

"Stay close Jack, you take Riley in fact. Those supplies are important."

"hinážiŋ! Wašíču!"

Jack felt Riley's rope be thrust into his hands. The chestnut stallion turned to the noise of the Mahingan tribe of men. They seemed to just appear, surrounding the five of the Burgess men. Their horses were painted and had only rope in their mouths.

The men on their backs had skin almost as red as blood. Their faces were anything but glowering hostile and at their head stood a man on a large black and white mare. Feathers sprouted from his head and he wore thick, roughly cut leather, he held up his hand and bows came up to point at the trapped men.

Elias showed no fear, "Cowards, we are trapped. Let us settle this in a real fight!" He drew a blade. The leader frowned at him.

"You white man are trespassing here on our land," The redskin finally spoke but in English. This shocked Elias and his man, Jack was trying to hold steady Riley who was prancing on the end of the lead. The way he spoke was heavy and awkward.

"We don't know that this is your land, we are simply heading home!"
"You will not return home!" Snapped the Redskin, he looked furious at the suggestion.

"You and your men have come across here far too many times!"
"You stole our cattle," Sam snarled at him, finding his courage.

"Enough! You men come here, chop down trees like angry demon and hunt beasts with no care, we have had enough!"

"If you kill us, you will unleash the wrath of our whole village." This was Oliver, he set a steely gaze on them.

The chief looked doubtful for a moment before he said surely, "They will not know or care for you as they do not for your own."

"It would seem," His black eyes rested on Jack who felt for the first time a thousand fears pulsing through him, " you are all easily replaceable."

"You leave the child alone, or I'll show you what a true demon is," Elias snarled fiercely.

Along the lines many of the other Mahingans looked worriedly from one to another, some confused, they mustn't be able to speak English like the one infront of them now.

"He is not child but man, man enough to run the ranks of you šica man."

Elias narrowed his eyes, encouraging Brennan forward.

"I'll kill at least one of you before your arrows touch one of us, make your move."
This the Mahingan leader considered, the one two his side looked from Elias to him furiously.

Elias turned Brennan away, looking from man to man. "Leave us be today, save yourself a fight later."

"What of our hunting lands?"
"You've survived without them? Are your woman not happy or children plump?"
The other looked thoughtful.

"Fine then, you are free to go."

Elias nodded and as the leader lowered his hand, the arrows were left un-shot and bows lowered.

"Thank you," Elias said, voice layered deep with relief and he turned quickly away, he urged his men to gallop off and away so he could watch them go. Jack kicked on and snapped for Riley to move.

Elias came quickly at his struggled slapping his hand against the horses' rump.

As they churned away at the snow, horses panting before long they were sure the one had protested at them leaving unharmed.

Elias' shoulder slumped and he suddenly looked very tired.

"Are you okay?" Jack asked shakily.
"I should be asking you that," He looked behind him, eyes skimming the row of trees behind them before calling everyone to slow down.

"That's never happened before," he said worriedly.

"We're lucky we are not dead," Sam said looking between all the men.
"We would be if it were not for their leader. The one to his left has been chasing us for a long time, I'm sure he was part of the group that shot William."
"How sure Oliver?" Elias asked, patting Brennan's neck.

"I'm very sure. Our blood would be painting that snow if it were not for the leader I am sure."
"And we are so close to home…"

They shifted uncomfortably, "we will have to warn the village of this."

"Stop and come here! White man!"

"Ugly"

Not a long chapter but it should t serve to warm you up for the coming updates.
Do share your thoughts and feelings!