what has changed. I will not say a word to anyone if that is what you want.” Yellow Dove said.
“I just had a goodnights sleep that’s all.” Abby replied hoping Yellow Dove would accept her answer. She didn’t feel like sharing her newfound happiness with anyone right now. She wanted to enjoy each new memory of her time with Shadow Spirit. “Come on lets finish getting you ready for the ceremony.”
“I am ready but we do not have a ceremony like the white people have. We have a celebration; it is a continuation of last night. The Shaman will bless our joining but it is not like what my mother has told me of a white man’s wedding, sometimes I think I would like to be married in the white way also, for my mother. When the celebration is nearly over we will go to the lodge that I have prepared for us, away from the village. We will stay there a few days. Then when we return we will go to my husband’s lodge,” Yellow Dove explained.
“But if there are no words spoken by a preacher or anyone how is it that you are married?” Abby asked.
Yellow Dove thought about what she should tell Abby. She needed to make her understand that in the eyes of the people she would be Gray Wolf’s wife in a matter of hours. “When two people wish to be joined, the man asks the woman’s father for her. Then the father sets the bride’s price. My price was ten horses. Gray Wolf had no problem. He is very brave and has gained many horses through raids on enemy tribes. He will make a good husband,” Yellow Dove stated. “My brother will also make a good husband, are you in love with him?” She asked with the straightforward approach that Abby had begun to expect from Yellow Dove.
“I haven’t been in love before. I have no way of knowing for sure if what I feel for Shadow Spirit is love or not.” Abby said. “I believe that I am”
“Do you feel that when he is away from you that you are not a complete person and that the sun shines more brightly when he is in your sight? Do you feel that without him in your life, you would have no life?” Yellow Dove asked.
“Yes that’s how I feel. I also feel that sometimes when he looks at me, that my heart will burst from my chest. I first thought that meant fear. I have had no fear of Shadow Spirit in a long time though.”
“What you feel for my brother is definitely not fear. I think he feels the same way, even though you are white. He has tried not to let it happen but he has fought a losing battle. This brother of mine has fallen hard. I have a feeling that the next to join will be you two, am I not right?” Yellow Dove asked.
“Oh Yellow Dove I hope so, but you mustn’t breathe a word of this to anyone, besides like I said, this is your day. You must make the most of it. Come on let’s finish up in here. I hear the drums starting.”
The day was filled with laughter and celebration. As with all the festivities held by the Cheyenne, the people danced and enjoyed each other’s company. Abby sat in a circle with the other women. She was in awe of all the gaiety involved. She had not known that these wonderful people had so much love in their hearts. From the youngest child to the oldest adult were included. At dusk, Yellow Dove and Gray Wolf left for their lodge away from the village. Yet close enough to be protected by the village in case of an attack.
Sometime after the wedding couple had left, Abby felt the need to take a walk.
“Hello Abby,” she didn’t need to turn around to know that it was Shadow Spirit who spoke from behind her.
“Shadow Spirit, I have missed you!” They were standing in the shadows of his lodge.
He swept her into his arms. “And I have missed you my dear heart. Soon we can tell the world of our love.” Shadow Spirit held her as if he thought she would disappear if he turned her loose.
Abby felt as if her body was weightless. His lips slowly descended toward hers. With the union of their
“I just had a goodnights sleep that’s all.” Abby replied hoping Yellow Dove would accept her answer. She didn’t feel like sharing her newfound happiness with anyone right now. She wanted to enjoy each new memory of her time with Shadow Spirit. “Come on lets finish getting you ready for the ceremony.”
“I am ready but we do not have a ceremony like the white people have. We have a celebration; it is a continuation of last night. The Shaman will bless our joining but it is not like what my mother has told me of a white man’s wedding, sometimes I think I would like to be married in the white way also, for my mother. When the celebration is nearly over we will go to the lodge that I have prepared for us, away from the village. We will stay there a few days. Then when we return we will go to my husband’s lodge,” Yellow Dove explained.
“But if there are no words spoken by a preacher or anyone how is it that you are married?” Abby asked.
Yellow Dove thought about what she should tell Abby. She needed to make her understand that in the eyes of the people she would be Gray Wolf’s wife in a matter of hours. “When two people wish to be joined, the man asks the woman’s father for her. Then the father sets the bride’s price. My price was ten horses. Gray Wolf had no problem. He is very brave and has gained many horses through raids on enemy tribes. He will make a good husband,” Yellow Dove stated. “My brother will also make a good husband, are you in love with him?” She asked with the straightforward approach that Abby had begun to expect from Yellow Dove.
“I haven’t been in love before. I have no way of knowing for sure if what I feel for Shadow Spirit is love or not.” Abby said. “I believe that I am”
“Do you feel that when he is away from you that you are not a complete person and that the sun shines more brightly when he is in your sight? Do you feel that without him in your life, you would have no life?” Yellow Dove asked.
“Yes that’s how I feel. I also feel that sometimes when he looks at me, that my heart will burst from my chest. I first thought that meant fear. I have had no fear of Shadow Spirit in a long time though.”
“What you feel for my brother is definitely not fear. I think he feels the same way, even though you are white. He has tried not to let it happen but he has fought a losing battle. This brother of mine has fallen hard. I have a feeling that the next to join will be you two, am I not right?” Yellow Dove asked.
“Oh Yellow Dove I hope so, but you mustn’t breathe a word of this to anyone, besides like I said, this is your day. You must make the most of it. Come on let’s finish up in here. I hear the drums starting.”
The day was filled with laughter and celebration. As with all the festivities held by the Cheyenne, the people danced and enjoyed each other’s company. Abby sat in a circle with the other women. She was in awe of all the gaiety involved. She had not known that these wonderful people had so much love in their hearts. From the youngest child to the oldest adult were included. At dusk, Yellow Dove and Gray Wolf left for their lodge away from the village. Yet close enough to be protected by the village in case of an attack.
Sometime after the wedding couple had left, Abby felt the need to take a walk.
“Hello Abby,” she didn’t need to turn around to know that it was Shadow Spirit who spoke from behind her.
“Shadow Spirit, I have missed you!” They were standing in the shadows of his lodge.
He swept her into his arms. “And I have missed you my dear heart. Soon we can tell the world of our love.” Shadow Spirit held her as if he thought she would disappear if he turned her loose.
Abby felt as if her body was weightless. His lips slowly descended toward hers. With the union of their
Similar Books
