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"It is true. Because honesty is the first step to trust. And trust leads to love."
"You are very wise yourself." She smiled. "But I must tell you that I still don't understand why you chose me as your wife."
"In time, maybe I can explain it to you." He sighed heavily. "I must leave the camp tomorrow. I have a meeting at the fort with the blue coats."
"Oh, I see. When will you return?"
"I do not know but it won't be but a few days. I am to scout for them."
"I didn't know you were a scout, too."
He stared down at her, "Sasha we are at peace, but the Sioux and Crow refuse to live on reservations. In all honestly, living here in the Wind River Valley is home for us. We have been here for some time. That is why when I met you, I was surprised that the Arapaho had moved here too. But I will not fight as we are content here. And I suppose your tribe would not be here if they were not peaceful too."
She nodded slowly, "I too see no reason to fight any longer, nor does my father. He is happy in this valley. But some of my people are not."
Black Wolf studied her, "Big Knife?" He asked.
"Yes, Big Knife."
"Then I have done well to bring you here and marry you, as if war breaks out, you are safer here. Does your father know of this?"
"Yes, he knows how Big Knife wants to war with the blue coats. He does not agree, and we have signed the treaty. It would not be wise to break the treaty. The land is good here, there is much wildlife and the crops are fair too." She hung her head, not sure whether to tell him about her returning to the Arapaho camp. She needed to know more about him before she confided everything.
"That is good."
She stared up at him a moment. "I have learned from the blue coats. As when they came to my village in the mountains, the doctor came with them and he taught me many things about medicine. Now I can really help my people and yours. For the white man's diseases can be treated, at least some of them."
"That is a good thing, and you will be of great value to us all. Sasha I am proud you will be my wife. But I must tell you, what I seek from you is a real wife. A woman who can work with me, and love with me and give me children. I am a patient man and will not rush you for it. But it is my hope that we can come together in love someday."
She hung her head, "I understand what you ask of me. Although I do not understand why you picked me. Still, I will be a dutiful wife."
He gently took her by the arms and stared into her innocent eyes. "I seek your love, Sasha, not your duty."
"Then be patient."
He smiled warmly at her now. "That you have said this, makes me have hope for our future together."
"You are a good man, a strong man, and a kind man, but my heart… "
"Yes, I know." He said softly. "Belongs to another."
"I would not be honest if I said differently."
He nodded. "I will be patient, for your love is worth waiting for." He told her with a sad kind of smile.
"You are not angry with me?" she asked a bit startled that he wasn't.
"No, for your loyalty to him makes me jealous. And yet I understand and appreciate that loyalty still."
"One thing I will tell you. It is something I struggle with to understand too. Big Knife wants war with the blue coats. And I do not think it a good thing. If he chooses this path, I must put this love away from me, for he does not honor my father's wishes about this. Already I have doubts, as he honored me coming with you, but not my father's wishes of peace. In other words, he could give me up, but not this war he seeks."
Black Wolf smiled again, "You are a wise one, Sasha and to win your heart would be a treasure."
She looked up at him, "You flatter me, I am not used to being flattered."
"Yes, I can see that. In some ways, I have picked up on the white man's ways. I have learned their bible. Their God is my God. And the bible says to honor your wife and appreciate her. I intend to do that with all my heart."
A tear formed in the corner of her eyes and Black Wolf saw it. "It would seem that I will marry a very good man, then."
