He looked at her, grinned, then said, "True. True. Welcome! Welcome to our camp and…to my life. Come…share…my world…with me."
"Now and always" was all she replied.
****
Of course, word had traveled more quickly than it would have done had the two of them sent a white man's letter to the tribe. Both Stands Strong and Red Fox would have given news of their approach to the Pikuni people. But also, because scouts were always about, ensuring the safety of the camp, she and First Rider would have been seen, and then the knowledge of their approach would have been heralded throughout the camp.
As she and First Rider began their descent down the cliff, Liliann looked forward as people from the Pikuni village appeared in the distance, and they were running, not walking, toward them. Immediately, Liliann recognized her friend and almost-sister, Czanna, who had once, all those years ago in Hungary, been her mistress. Behind Czanna strode her husband, Stands Strong, as well as a little girl he carried in his arms; the youngster had to be their first child. Why, the little girl must now be almost four years old. And, there was Sharon, who was Stands Strong's almost-mother, as well as Sharon's husband, Strikes Fast, and their several children, all running and laughing as they made a game of what looked to Liliann to be "who is the fastest."
There were many more of the people fast approaching them. Liliann spotted her beloved almost-aunties, Laylah and her sister, Amelia, as well as all of their several children, pacing, as they were behind the crowd. Of course, their men, Eagle Heart and Gray Falcon, followed along behind their women.
And, there in the rear, but moving fast to catch up with the others, came First Rider's parents: his birth mother, Little Dove, his almost-mother, Morning Sun Woman and his almost-father, Chief Chases-the-enemy. Behind them—running to keep up—came all their many laughing children, some of whom were now young adults.
But, these friends were not the only ones who were hastening to greet them. Why, it was as if the entire tribe was in full march toward them. Tears of joy wet Liliann's eyes, and it wasn't long before the streaks of her tears were falling over her cheeks.
Then the people surrounded them, and several hands and arms pulled both her and First Rider off their ponies to be taken into arms for big hugs and kisses on their cheeks. After each hug and kiss, both she and First Rider were then passed along to another to do the same.
"We heard the two of you are now married! We are so happy for you both! So very happy!" exclaimed First Rider's birth mother, Little Dove. "Where have you been? We've all been waiting for you!"
Liliann saw First Rider laughing as he bent down to give his mother a big hug and a kiss. Then, speaking in Blackfeet as well as in sign so there could be no doubt Liliann could understand his words, he said, "We are only joined together recently, my mother. Why would we hurry?"
Little Dove laughed, as did many of the others. Then came the invitations. First one and then another and another and another.
"Have you had your evening meal yet?"
"Come to my lodge. I have prepared a feast for you." "Saa, they should come to my lodge first!"
"We have set up your own tepee, Almost-brother! Come, follow me and I will take you and your woman to it!" It was First Rider's almost-sister, White Weasel Woman, speaking. She was the daughter of Chief Chases-the-enemy's first wife, his sits-beside-him wife, Morning Star Woman, who was First Rider's almost-mother.
Liliann and White Weasel Woman had been good friends four years ago; her friend had married at a young age and, although White Weasel Woman had at that time been the same age as Liliann, she had been with child. How beautiful she looked now, even though there were two children clinging to her dress. Her tanned face and her dark-brown eyes beamed with happiness, and her braids, one at each side, framed her round face, causing her to look stunningly beautiful. There were round white shell earrings hanging from her ears, a blue-and-white-beaded choker adorned her neck and her dress looked to be made of the convenient blue trade cloth, with row after row of blue and white beadwork sewn all the way across the dress' yoke. A wide belt was beaded in diamond shapes of blue, red and orange, and these were set against a background of white beads. The blue cloth hung all the way down to just above her moccasins and was sewn on the bottom with three wide rows of white, orange and red ribbon; even her moccasins were beaded in the same colors and patterns.
White Weasel Woman stepped forward and gave Liliann a hug, then signed, "Come, I will show you and my almost-brother where we have set up your lodge. I hope you will both be happy with your new home. Your lodge sits next to mine."
Before Liliann could respond, one of First Rider's younger male cousins strode up to him and asked for the reins of bothhis and her horses. In response, First Rider smiled at the boy, handing over both ponies' buckskin reins. Liliann knew the lad would care for the horses, since this was, in general, a young boy's responsibility in the camp; the boy would also add the newcomers to First Rider's herd.
Glancing away from the youngster, she looked at First Rider's almost-sister and signed, "I know we will both be very happy with the lodge, and I am thrilled to know it is situated next to thine. We have so much to talk about."
Shyly, White Weasel Woman smiled, and before turning away, she signed, "Follow me. I am certain if I lead you away and to your lodge, your husband is sure to follow."
Liliann grinned along with White Weasel Woman and did as she was bid, her friend leading the way back to camp; First Rider and his many relatives, as predicted, followed along behind.
"Little Dove and I, as well as my mother, sewed your new lodge together, but it will be up to my almost-brother—your man—to decide how it should be painted, should he wish to do so. We raised up your lodge only this morning after we finished sewing it together. It is our fondest wish that you and my almost-brother will be happy in your new lodge, and we hope it may serve you to raise many children yet to come."
Beaming a joyful grin at White Weasel Woman, Liliann decided happiness could definitely be catching here, because she couldn't recall a time she had laughed so much nor an occasion when she had felt so thoroughly loved. And, as the warmth of the early morning sun, now risen in the eastern sky, shared its heat down onto the top of her head, Liliann glanced up at First Rider, who was keeping pace beside her as he spoke and laughed with his two friends Stands Strong and Red Fox. It was clear to Liliann that family bonds were deep and true.
With the children giggling and running ahead of them, she and First Rider were, at last, escorted to their new home, a large tepee. And, it was, indeed, very beautiful.
The buffalo hide had been tanned until it was white, although the top opening of the lodge, known as its "ears," was more tannish than white. Perhaps a welcoming fire had already been lit inside the lodge and this was the cause of the discoloration. Liliann heard her almost-mother-in-law, Morning Sun Woman, say to First Rider in the Blackfoot tongue, while she signed her words so Liliann could understand, "We will help your woman to unpack your things and settle in. Perhaps your woman might like a bath,áa? If so, I will bring water here for her. You, of course, must go to the chiefs and tell them what you have discovered while you were away. I have been sent here to take you there."
First Rider nodded and replied in sign, "I am certain my woman would like a bath, since we have been on the trail through the night.Áa,I will go to the chiefs now."
"Soka'pii.Soka'pii."
The crowd of people who had accompanied Liliann and First Rider to their new home gradually dispersed amidst many phrases she recognized, such as, "Wa'tsimaa,""Kitsiksíksimatsimmo"and "Á'tsimáát," which were greetings or invitations to come to their lodges.
With a touch of his hand to hers, First Rider said, "Must…go to chiefs. Return soon."
Liliann nodded and watched the handsome figure of her husband as he trod away from her. She sighed, physically pinching herself to ensure this was all real and not simply a dream. She was back with the Pikuni Blackfeet, the only place she could remember where she felt she had truly belonged.
