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"Why, what do you mean?"
"Look, I don't know her like you do, but she confided in Gloria, because she's white, she thought her being married, she'd understand. It would hurt her to know that the first white woman she did talk to talked about her. So, you can't tell her son, that you know. She told Pumpkin too."
Aiden nodded slow, "I see what you mean."
"I think I got her pegged right. She's got a little war going on inside her. She's basically all Indian, but when she gets around whites, she starts trying to think and act white. She's confused Aiden. She's come of age and don’t know what to do about it."
Aiden nodded, "Your right, but she's been fighting this war all along. She thinks no whites ever cared about her, that she's unworthy of being loved by the whites."
"Then maybe it's time someone told her how he feels." Angus smiled at him. "I mean, if he does feel that way."
With that Angus walked away. Aiden stood stunned and waited for Lucy to return.
It wasn't a time to talk about feelings. But deep down, he knew Angus was right.
Aiden went back inside and saw Pumpkin's face screw up into a frown and he heard Angus. "You folks just don't know when to shut up, do you?"
It was almost dark before Lucy returned. Her face looked pale, and tired.
Gloria came up to her immediately, "What did they say? Will they let me take my daughter?"
A bit overwhelmed, Lucy took a long breath before answering. She stared into her eyes. She licked her dry lips and tried to think. "They must speak to the council, then the parents. If they agree, you can have your daughter back." Lucy told her. "With one condition."
"And if they don't?"
"If they don't, they'll let us leave peaceably, but you won't get her back." Lucy told her.
"But they must. I have to get her back… " Gloria cried out.
"I have spoken to them, trying to convince them that the Creator would give back what is not theirs to take. They believe I speak the truth. Still, it must go through all the channels and they must have their Shaman study on this too and pray to the Creator."
"How long before we know?" Gloria was groping for anything to keep her hopes up.
"Tomorrow. But that is not the real test."
"What do you mean?" Gloria's eyes narrowed on her now.
Lucy took a long breath and leaned against a pole that supported. She stared into her eyes for a long moment. "Even if they do agree, it is up to Peggy. If she wants to go with you, and their Shaman agrees, then she can go. But if Peggy refuses you herself, she will stay as they believe their Gods demands it. They do not think a child should be forced one way or another."
"But she's just a child… She can't make that kind of decision on her own."
"It is their way and their custom, we cannot change it. Even if they do not approve if Peggy sees you and wants you, then they must let her go."
"I can see her tomorrow?" Gloria asked her voice resounding with hope.
"As far as I know, yes" Lucy sighed. Lucy glanced around the teepee, suddenly she almost fell over if Aiden hadn't caught her to him.
"Are you okay?" Aiden asked her pulling her away from Gloria and her questions.
"Yes, we have prayed together to the Gods and to the Creator and we will await the answer. Then you will be taken to her and it will be her that decides." Lucy said with a long sigh. "It is their custom and their way. And you must abide. To try to take her against her will, will mean certain death, I can assure you, for all of us! So, you must get very strong and do as I tell you, it could mean your life."
Aiden took her into his arms and carried her to a blanket that was laid out. He laid her down and covered her, "Get some rest."
He bent and kissed her forehead.
"Thanks Aiden," she whispered.
And Indian woman came inside the teepee and began preparing a meal for them. But as she put the food on the fire, she turned and brought something to hang over Lucy where she slept. Gloria watched in fascination.
