It was as though, for a moment, they had both stepped outside of time, becoming one in body as well as in spirit.
He didn't move away from her at once. However, when at last he rolled to the side of her, he murmured, "I will love you always."
"Always," she repeated in a whisper. It was like a sacred vow between them. Regardless of what the future might bring to them, it was their own pledge, willingly given, willingly taken.
Forever.
****
Help me! Please help me!
The words came to Czanna in her mind.
Czanna sat straight up in her bed where she had been cuddling up so cozily next to Stands Strong. Should she awaken him? Had he heard the cry for help?
No, he was sound asleep.
What was she to do?
Please, I need help!
Czanna took a deep breath. She could not do nothing. She at least had to investigate, if only to discover who needed help and why.
Slowly, so as not to awaken Stands Strong, she came up onto her knees, and, grabbing ahold of her dress, she quickly threw it on, then crawled toward their little shelter's entrance. Pulling back the lodge flap, she crept over it and rose up to her feet, seeing the morning had turned into the afternoon.
Help me!
The plea came again, but from where? Since she was hearing the appeal within her mind, she responded in the same manner and asked,Where are you? Tell me where you are, and I will come there.
At the water, by the stream. Hurry!
Czanna didn't know why she wasn't frightened to do as asked, but she wasn't. Instead, she was afraid only to be too late to help.
I see you. Do you see me?
Looking outward, Czanna saw nothing at first. And, then she beheld a movement. What was it? Was it human?
"Ah-h-h!" She inhaled on a breath and gulped. She didn't scream. It was as though the ability to make a sound was beyond her.
In front of her, at only a little distance away, was a large white bear. It was not standing upright, but rather was down on all fours.
Please hurry. We need your help.
It was the bear who was "speaking" to her.
We?asked Czanna silently.
Please, yes. My baby needs your help. Please hurry!
Why she didn't hesitate to do as asked, Czanna didn't know. She only felt as though the Creator, Himself, were directing her steps, and she paced slowly toward the animal, keeping some distance between them, yet unable to turn away from the animal's cries.
And, then she saw it and heard the baby's scream; it was a brown and white bear cub, caught in the sticky mud of the stream, the mud perhaps having been created from the flow of the snow melting and crashing down from the mountains. Realizing what was at stake, her steps turned immediately into a run, and she came right up to the shore where the animal was struggling farther out.
With no fear for herself, she waded into the water toward the cub, feeling, herself, the sticky substance of the mud. Still, she plodded on toward the creature until she was right next to it. Then, she reached out to try to pull the small bear out of the muck without herself also getting caught in the sludge.
But, it was too late. She was already caught in the swamp-like mire, too.
Still reaching out for the animal, she positioned herself so she could keep its head above water, and then, before her strength gave out, she screamed, "Stands Strong! Help! Stands Strong, wake up! Help me!"
