-
Resisting Fate - Part Three of Three
Date: 8/20/2015, Categories: Historical, Author: Poppet, Rating: 35, Source: LushStories
laughing and chatting. The woman started the dinner and I knew if I were to be part of this family, I had to chip in. “Here, let me do this,” I told one of the younger girls. She was peeling potatoes and she looked as though she was having a hard time of it herself. She looked at Singing Bird and with a nod from her, she handed me the potato and knife. “It's easier if you do it like this,” I explained the best I could in a mix of my tongue and hers. She seemed to understand me, as she giggled and paid close attention. After a few were peeled, she tried again and got the hang of it. Once she had, I was handed a new knife and we sat and peeled a dozen of them together. I kept noticing the smiles from everyone, but mostly of Red Elk's mother. She seemed so happy I was here with her son. Once everything was cooking, I was helping clean up, when Red Elk said I had done enough. “You've traveled so far today. You're tired, don't overdo it, my White Dove,” his voice was gentle as he tried to pull me into his arms. I took a step back, both between being a little embarrassed at our closeness, but also wanting to help. “It's okay. I'm actually not all that tired and I like to help. It keeps me busy.” Now that I was here, it almost felt odd to be close with him. As if I were intruding on someone who wasn't mine. I knew Red Elk didn't see it that way. In his eyes, I was his. However, I felt the reluctance of sharing that with him now. Maybe it was simply because I had to get to know his ... family. The dinner was loud and questions were flung at me in every direction. Red Elk had to help me with some of them, as I didn't understand them all. But they all seemed so impressed with what I did know of their language. There was lots of laughs and sadness mixed into the conversation. I told them of how Red Elk and I had met and of my husband. I didn't tell them about how I came to America, thinking it was too soon. Maybe I wouldn't tell them at all. Did that part of my life really matter anymore? When night fell and the sky filled with stars with the moon high above, I felt the tiredness finally begin to take me. I felt as though I could sleep for weeks. When Red Elk showed me where I was to sleep, he explained it was going to be with him. “But we can't share a bed roll, Red Elk. It's not proper. We're not married. Out there,” I pointed in the direction we had traveled, “it is different. We needed each other’s warmth for survival. Here, inside, where it is safe, it's simply unacceptable.” “Unacceptable,” the word roughly rolled off his tongue and looked at me confused. “You do love me and I love you. We are to be wed, why is this so bad?” he spoke. His expression was hurt and a little wounded. “It's just the way that it is, Red Elk. We will share a bed when we are married.” Red Elk looked almost defeated as he gathered his things and mumbled something about sleeping in his brother's tent. I felt bad, but I thought it was for the best. That is until I was lying there in ...