CHAPTER EIGHTEEN #2
"I am so sorry you were driven to go to the Lakota to find out whether or not my father spoke the truth to you.
" She was crying and could barely speak.
"Had you…fallen there, I don't know what I would have done.
I have always loved you, even though my father tried to separate us.
Please, my husband, I agree with you. I must feel you against me to ensure you are really here.
I only wish I had been there to stand beside you. Yes, please love me."
Red Fox sighed. "I have always loved you, too.
It was not hard for me to go to the other tribe to learn the truth.
But I, for one, am glad you were not there with me.
Had it been so, and had you come to harm…
" He gulped, leaving the rest unsaid. "It would have been my fault, and I do not think I could have borne it. "
And then, he kissed her. It was a wet kiss, made wetter still by their tears.
Picking her up into his arms, he trod the few steps to their sleeping couch.
He laid her gently upon the couch they shared, and coming down onto his knees beside her, he murmured, "I have taken you for my wife.
I take you again for my wife now and until eternity.
I promise this to you: I will not cease my work to bring us together until I am certain you can remain my wife for all our lives. Somehow I will do this."
Reaching up to him, she murmured, "Come to me, my husband."
Bending toward her, he reached out to untie the buckskin ties holding her dress in shape. It came off easily enough, and she watched as his eyes touched her everywhere.
Adoringly, Briella gazed up at him and whispered, "But, my husband, you are still wearing your shirt. And, I so wish to feel your skin against my own. I want to breathe in your scent, if only to reassure myself you are still here with me in the flesh."
Red Fox took his shirt off in an instant, and then, coming down to her, they did little more for the moment than rub against each other, until, at last, Red Fox kissed her lips, her cheeks, her eyes, her ears and her nose before scooting downward toward the essence of her femininity, duly paying tribute to each of her breasts in turn.
On downward he kissed his way to that spot of her body so sensitive, and, at last, he kissed his way back up to her lips, joining his body with hers at the same time.
And, they loved one another as though there might not be another time for their lovemaking.
They danced and they danced with one another in the enchantment of love, giving their bodies to each other in a pledge of their devotion.
So closely entwined were they, it was as natural as the act of breathing when they joined together spiritually, which was perhaps the apex of their lovemaking.
In that moment, she knew this man as well as, or perhaps better than herself.
And oh, how beautiful he was. Yes, she would do most anything to make this man's life one of happiness.
She would face what he had to face and she would aid him in whatever life would throw at them. She pledged herself to the task.
And, as she fell to sleep within his arms, she knew she had never been so happy.
****
The Lakota people left as soon as night had fallen upon the land.
Although both Poka'aki and he, Red Fox, had tried to convince Yellow Sun and his family to stay for the full summer celebration, Yellow Sun was certain he and his people had great need to return to their own tribe, and at once, if only because the war with the Long Knives was waging on and on. Indeed, his people would need him.
Red Fox didn't argue with his friend. Instead, he ensured Yellow Sun and all his family, as well as all the Lakota people, left on their journey home much richer in clothing, furs, weapons, horses and food than when they had arrived.
Many other Pikuni families opened up their hearts, also, to ensure these Lakota people left richer than when they had first arrived.
In their honor, Poka'aki had given Pretty Moon the new white dress she had made and Red Fox had presented his friend with one of his best rifles and ammunition for it, as well as the regalia he had inherited from his grandfather.
Poka'aki and other Pikuni women had bestowed the entirety of these Lakota people with several bags of pemmican, as well as roots and dried buffalo meat.
Indeed, there was many a tearful eye as the Lakota people set off to their home. Many friendships had been forged, and this would never be forgotten.
Several Pikuni scouts came forward to give their aid to the Lakota scouts, offering their help in leading these people through Crow country with as little harm as possible. And so, it came to be that, after a tearful farewell, Yellow Sun, Pretty Moon and their children left to return to their home.
But, they would see one another again; of this Red Fox was certain.
Evening had come. Children had ceased their play and were heading back to their lodges for the evening meal, and, from a lodge nearby, Red Fox listened to the gambling song as several men and women played the game of "hide the bone.
" In the distance, Red Fox heard the nightly serenade of the Night Hawks, and he smiled as he pulled up the tepee flap and entered his lodge.
But, he had no more than stepped foot into his lodge when he came face-to-face with Hunts-with-the-wind.
"You did not answer," said the wolf in mind-speak. "I have come here quickly as you bade me to do. The Black Robe arrived one night ago. When I did not hear from you, I came here as fast as I could."
Red Fox bent down to pet the wolf and kissed him gently on his head.
"You have done well, my friend," said Red Fox in both the Blackfoot language and the mind-speak. Here." Standing, Red Fox grabbed a juicy buffalo rib from a parfleche bag and offered it to his pet. "Enjoy this meat while I quickly pack. We will leave at once."
"And, where will you and your wolf be going now?"
It was Poka'aki speaking from behind him. Red Fox shook his head. He hadn't heard her approach.
While in camp, he had let his skills as a scout relax. It was not good, since a scout must always be aware of his environment.
Turning around, he took his woman in his arms, and, leaning down, he kissed her.
Then, raising his head a little, he said, "The Black Robe has now come to your father's homestead.
This man is there to put his seal upon the paper, and this, according to the Creator, will bind your family to the man Maximillian.
There is a lie in the paper this man Maximillian has in his possession.
I believe I am the only one, except the Creator, and perhaps George, who is aware of it.
Therefore, I must now return to your homestead, and I must go there at once because I have to prevent your father from placing his mark upon the paper.
Our life together, our happiness depends on this, as well as the happiness of your father and mother, I fear. "
"Oh, I see. I will come with you."
"Saa, you must stay here. I fear if you are there, you will be forced against your will to marry this man. Or perhaps worse might happen to you. No, you must stay here."
She countered this assertion at once and said, "No man can make me say words that are not in my heart. And, I will not stay here while you put yourself into danger. I will be there with you. I will stand with you."
"I am a lucky man to have such a woman as you are. But," Red Fox answered, "there are ways a man can force a woman to do his bidding. No, you will stay here and out of the way of harm."
He watched as his woman shook her head. Then she said, "I can shoot as straight and as quick as any man.
Do not think you can convince me to stay here.
I am coming with you, and we are wasting time in argument instead of quickly getting ready to go.
Have you told your father about this? Since he had bidden you to come here, perhaps you should tell him you must now leave.
I will stay here and pack quickly so we may set out at once. "
"áa, I will inform my father as you suggest, but—"
"My husband, there are other women amongst the Pikuni who follow their men into danger, and those women are not nearly as good a shot as I am. I am coming with you. You will not stop me."
Red Fox grinned at her. "My warrior woman. You are right. You may come. And, yes, we must hurry. But, first you must come with me to speak to my father. I think he would wish to see you, too, before we go. I will help you to pack quickly when we return here."
Poka'aki merely nodded.
****
"You are right, my son, to have come to me," said Weasel Plume, his deep voice saying the words slowly. "Had you left without telling me, I might have thought you were angry with me. Poka'aki, Almost-daughter, come in close to me. I have words I feel I must speak to you."
Swallowing hard, Briella changed her position to scoot in more closely to Weasel Plume. She reached out to accept his extended hand.