Tender Ecstasy

by Janelle Taylor

  The seven tribes of the Sioux Nation had gradually spread out over much of South Dakota, lower North Dakota, upper Nebraska, and eastern Wyoming: a fact which had noticeably weakened their staunch control of this particular area. Yet, the fierce Oglala tribe remained steadfast, intrepid, and indomitable.

  As the white influx had increased, her husband had resisted with all his might, cunning, and skill. He was constantly on the alert to protect his people. He often spoke of how peaceful life was before the whites had trespassed on his beautiful lands. To her dread and dismay, he was right; they were enemies at war.

  “I see your points, my husband. Still, what of the girl Rebecca? She has no people. She is alone and afraid. It would be wrong to send her back to the whites who would despise her for her life with us. But it would also be wrong to give her to another warrior. She has known no man except our son. Let her remain in our tepee for a time. Perhaps the bond between them will fade. Then, you could find a good man for her. Do this for me and our son,” she pleaded.

  The love and gentleness which flowed from her rolled upon him like a soothing wave of warm, inviting water. His anger was mastered. Enthralled, he wondered how he could possibly refuse her without telling her the real reason for his intense dislike for this girl. He could not even trust himself to utter the name of Powchutu. His tender-hearted wife would surely feel responsible for this girl if she learned Rebecca was the daughter of Mary and Joe. If only she were the daughter of Joe! If so, he would permit his son to keep her…

  “What troubles you so deeply, my husband?” she softly inquired, coming over to him and gazing up into his turbulent eyes.

  “I fear you see yourself in this white girl. I also fear you see me in our son. The past is gone, Shalee. Do not call it back to life. There is danger blowing in the wind with this girl’s coming. I feel its warnings gusting about me. We must not tempt our son to become overly attached to her. Do not go against my wishes in this matter.” There was a hint of urgent petition in his tone of voice.

  Shalee voiced a deep concern of hers which Gray Eagle had not reflected upon. “What if this girl already carries the child of our son? If you send her away and the child is born to another warrior, it would also be a slave. Do you wish the son of our son to endure such an existence?”

  At the thought of Powchutu’s daughter bearing his first grandchild, Gray Eagle’s rage knew no limits. “It cannot be! She is unworthy to bear his son! Her blood must not flow within his child!”

  “Why do you hate this girl so, my husband? What wrong has she done to you, to us? What deeds of hers do you hold deep within your mind?” she asked, perceiving something odd and cruel in his vehemence.

  Cautioning himself, he merely growled, “She is white! There can be no more white blood to weaken the line of Gray Eagle. Bright Arrow must join with an Oglala,” he stated fiercely.

  Hurt, she felt her eyes sting with unshed tears. “Even now, you cannot forget or forgive my white blood. Tell me, my beloved husband, do you also see me in this girl? Do you fear for your son to follow your footsteps?”

  “I fear nothing and no one, Shalee. I must protect those I love. To me, you are Indian,” he declared softly, unwittingly answering her question in the way she had hoped he would not. She allowed this slip to pass unquestioned and unchallenged.

  “Let her remain with us for seven moons. If you still feel these stirrings of danger, then send her away. I only ask that you do not place her in the Tipi Sa. She is not a whore to be taken by any brave who desires her.”

  “You have never forgiven me or forgotten the cruelty I once subjected you to,” Gray Eagle said. “For a long time, you did not think upon it. Have you forgotten no man touched you in the Tipi Sa? But this girl’s coming has called that evil moon back to your mind. I did nothing but shame and punish you for defiance. You take her side because it is Alisha Williams you see, not this white girl.”

  “If you do not wish me to feel this way,” Shalee answered, “then do not allow her present life to mirror my past one. So much seems just as it was between us. I do not wish to recall such pain, but I cannot seem to stop these thoughts from entering my mind. It is too late to prevent the return of such memories. To send her away would bring more pain to my heart, for then I cannot alter her fate as I could not my own. If you allow me to spare her similar torment and humiliation, it will lessen my own from the past. It will be as if I am changing my own past. It will dull the bitter memories; it will seem as if the cruelty never existed. This will become reality, and the past will fade as a bad dream. Do this for me, Gray Eagle. Allow me to put the past to sleep forever.” Their eyes met as she caressed his brawny arms.

  “You wish to play with this girl’s life just to rub out your own past? It cannot be done, my wife. When Wi has travelled the heavens many winters, the past is gone forever,” he exclaimed in exasperation, trying to tame the ferocious beast of revenge which clawed at his heart.

  “If that is so, my husband, then why does it haunt and control us this day?” she softly argued.

  For the first time since Shalee had told him she was carrying their son Bright Arrow, Gray Eagle lied to her. “It is you the past haunts, my lovely Shalee. I am only concerned with how this white girl could endanger our son’s future. It is his life we should protect and control, not hers. If we accept her, Bright Arrow will be unable to reject her. It is wrong; it is dangerous,” he concluded sternly.

  “But must she suffer for her cruel destiny? You do not know what it is like to be hated and rejected by both the whites and Indians. She is too young and vulnerable,” she retorted, her tempestuous emotions flowing like molten lava within her veins.

  “Her fate was sealed long ago when she was born to…whites,” he caught his nearly traitorous tongue. “It is not for us to change it; it lies within the hands of the Great Spirit.”

  “Long ago, you thought the same of me, my husband. But the Great Spirit saw it in His heart to change my destiny. What if it is the same with this girl? What if the Great Spirit has sent her to our son, as He once sent me to you? Do you not think it strange that the events which surround them are so like our past? I feel there is some message in these similarities. We must wait until we learn these secrets,” she beseeched him.

  “There is evil as well as good at work in our land, Shalee. What if it is an evil spirit which brought her here to destroy us? What if Rebecca has come to reveal the deadly secrets of my beloved Alisha? She has already caused the death of an Indian brother. I say she is evil.” His ebony eyes glittered.

  “She did not take the life of Standing Bear. It was his lust for her and for our son’s rank which brought on the challenge. Place the blame for that vile deed where it truly belongs,” she reprimanded him.

  “Still, she was in the middle of that battle!” he irrationally charged.

  “I once stood between you and Brave Bear. Was I to blame for being caught in the middle? No! Neither is this girl. Men place helpless women in positions which they cannot control, then blame us for the results of their reckless decisions.”

  Gray Eagle sighed wearily. He fretted over the mysterious, powerful pull which this girl was having over his wife and son. Shalee was too smart and cunning; she could find logic to use against each of his arguments. What now? he anxiously pondered, determined to have this girl out of their lives. Perhaps he should permit this girl to remain with them for seven moons as Shalee had suggested. In that time, Shalee would learn how impossible and perilous the whole situation was. Hopefully she would find it too painful to watch her past relived in this girl’s daily existence…Too, his son was proud; the warriors’ tauntings would surely have an effect upon him…Within seven moons, they would both wish this troublesome white captive gone!

  A sly grin eased over his bold features. He replied, “The girl can remain for seven moons. In that time, you can teach her what she must know and do to protect her life and safety when she leaves us. Then, she must leave our tepee. I could bear her presenc
e no longer. Will you agree to this?”

  A seven-day reprieve…That was certainly better than nothing. She smiled up into his eyes. “Yes, my husband; I will do as you say. I will prepare her to leave in seven moons. You are wise and generous. I love you with all my heart and soul. Your kindness will lay the past to rest forever,” she promised, tracing a finger over his sensual lips.

  He pulled her into his arms and embraced her tenderly and possessively. He could only hope and pray he had not made the wrong decision …At least, this way both he and his wife could have their wishes.

  Back in their tepee, another agonizing scene was taking place. Her weeping spent, Rebecca sat upon a sleeping skin while Bright Arrow nervously paced the tanned confines of his home. Never had he experienced such impatience, worry, and confusion. Every so often, he would halt his aimless roamings to stare at her in a strange way. It was obvious to Rebecca that many conflicting emotions were coursing through his keen mind and virile body, none of which she could read or understand. Helpless, all she could do was return his piercing stare and await her fate.

  Would the infamous Gray Eagle demand her life or just her absence? Either way, she instinctively knew that Shalee and Bright Arrow would not resist his commands, for such was the Indian way. Gray Eagle’s influence was twofold: he was a warrior, and he was the chief. Yet, if she were not mistaken, Shalee and Bright Arrow were trying to persuade him to allow her to remain here. Why, she could not even imagine. Then again, she could be wrong; perhaps they argued against her prolonged suffering. Either way, the final decision would be Gray Eagle’s.

  She mused upon the mercurial nature of the robust warrior before her. Even though she had promised herself to resist him, she had broken that vow the first moment he had reached out for her. What was this powerful, novel emotion which could not be dismissed or denied? She feared it; yet, she also eagerly and- hungrily pursued it. Love him? She could not say, for she did not know about such an emotion.

  Please, God, she prayed. Make him let me stay here…

  Bright Arrow contemplated his mother’s and father’s words. There was so much to consider. Doubtlessly, there were many things which Shalee had not revealed to him. What had actually taken place between his parents so long ago? Why was this strange girl a threat to them, particularly to him? What horrors of the past did she refresh in their minds? What ominous warnings echoed across such a vast distance of time? Indeed, something troubled them deeply; yet, the fears of each varied in some imperceptible way. Would his mother ever confess the entire truth to him? What had his father done to his mother that she so deeply feared he might also do to this girl, that had forced her to reveal such long-buried secrets?

  Evidently his mother’s white blood meant more to her than anyone realized. Perhaps that was the reason why the raids upon whites instilled that strange glow within her green eyes. Was his father truly bothered by Shalee’s half-white blood? Had he denied that fact to himself all these years? Had Rebecca reminded him of Shalee’s mixed blood and of their troubled past? Did his father resent the guilt, shame, and pain which Rebecca might renew within his mother? Was it only Shalee and their love which his father hoped to protect by sending this girl away? Or did the chief fear his son might fall into the same loving trap which he had? How he longed for Gray Eagle to confide in him, to unselfishly share what he had learned and endured in his taking of Shalee…the turmoil in Bright Arrow’s mind found no surcease.

  The flap of the tepee was thrown aside as his parents returned. Bright Arrow’s gaze flew to his mother’s serene smile first, then to his father’s stoic expression. Both Bright Arrow and Rebecca tensed in anticipation of Gray Eagle’s decision.

  Gray Eagle nonchalantly approached his son. He placed his hands upon Bright Arrow’s bare shoulders and gazed deeply into his expectant eyes as he related his decision. Bright Arrow’s astonished gaze shifted to his mother’s radiant face, knowing she had somehow gained him time with Rebecca. Gray Eagle noted his look of gratitude, and he wondered at it. He should question Shalee about this curious reaction. Assuredly, Bright Arrow knew she had influenced him. But how and why? he questioned himself, feeling uneasy about it.

  In his elated state, Bright Arrow affectionately hugged his father and his mother. He thanked them for permitting him to keep Rebecca for even a short time. He refused to think about what the eighth day would bring. For now, Rebecca was his.

  Yet, Gray Eagle insisted upon driving a crucial point home. “It is only for seven moons, Bright Arrow. Then, she must leave. I will take her to another village far away. It will be best if you do not know where she is…or which warrior takes her. Do you agree to such conditions?” he pressed, intentionally subduing the blissful joy and lack of restraint in his son.

  Bright Arrow sighed heavily, proudly drew himself up to his full height, then nodded understanding and agreement. “Then, it is settled,” Gray Eagle calmly announced. “But I must caution you, my son. Do not be overly gentle or friendly to her; it will only make leaving harder for her,” he remarked.

  “I will do as you command, my father. I will tell her this to halt any hope in her heart of staying here beyond seven moons,” he stated, hesitating to see if Gray Eagle would advise against it. He did not. In fact, he seemed pleased and eager for her to know of her fate!

  Bright Arrow went to kneel before the wary, frightened girl. Gray Eagle intently observed this communication. But Shalee watched her husband’s eyes and expressions closely, trying to discover some hint to his true motives and feelings. He was surely hiding something from her. What and why, she dreaded to explore. Yet, with every fiber of instinct and perception within her, she knew this to be true, true and alarming.

  “Rebecca, Bright Arrow kaskapi,” he informed her, holding up seven fingers to indicate her length of stay with him. “Kaskapi…hunwi,” he stressed the seven moons. When she did not seem to understand, he drew a circle upon the ground. He pointed to it, toward the heavens, then stated, “Hunwi!” He then repeated his words.

  Her face paled and she trembled slightly as she comprehended Gray Eagle’s decision: she could be Bright Arrow’s prisoner for only seven short days. After that…what would it matter after she lost Bright Arrow? At least she could share that many days with the man she loved and desired, for God only knew what reason! She bravely and proudly lifted her head. She glanced at Gray Eagle’s intrepid glare, wishing he did not despise and resent her so deeply and strongly. She managed to prevent the flood of tears which constricted her throat and ravaged her broken heart. She inhaled a ragged breath of air to still her racing heart and to quell her torment. She would not grovel before them; she would not plead or weep.

  She touched her forehead to give the sign of comprehension, saying softly, “Rebecca understands. Bright Arrow’s captive for seven days. A’ta ia Rebecca ya. Rebecca hiya cry.” She used a mixture of signs, English, and Sioux which she had learned from Bright Arrow to make her feelings and thoughts known. But she could not resist asserting she knew his father had demanded her departure. She had made the sign for tears, vowing she would not weep at his cruel decision. “Rebecca ya in seven hunwi,” she wisely accepted her delayed fate.

  Gray Eagle placed Rebecca’s welfare in the capable hands of his wife. He called for Bright Arrow to come and join him in the Ceremonial Tepee for a meeting of the tribe’s warriors. A new problem had arisen while Bright Arrow had been away, a problem which demanded their prompt attention.

  Bright Arrow followed his father from their tepee, neither noticing the way in which Shalee was observing them and the white girl. The two warriors—the noble one of yesterday who was fearlessly attempting to retain his prowess and powerful rank and the younger one who was fiercely trying to match his father’s indomitable legend—slowly covered the short distance to the gathering of the Warriors’ Society to discuss how they could withhold their lands and push back this new advance of white settlers and hostile soldiers.

  The two women silently studied each other
for a time. The beauty of Gray Eagle’s wife was obvious. As Rebecca’s curious gaze eased over the lovely female before her, it came to rest upon Shalee’s eyes: eyes the shade of newborn pine needles! In disbelief and confusion, she openly gaped at this incredible fact.

  It did not take Rebecca’s startled outcry, “Your eyes are green!” to reveal to Shalee why the girl was staring at her. Guessing at Rebecca’s astonishment and having had many years to practice the concealment of her knowledge of English, she wisely and cautiously prevented any visible reaction to Rebecca’s outburst.

  Rebecca uncontrollably bounded forward to stand only inches from Shalee. She stared into the emerald green eyes which were intriguing and lively. She pointed to Shalee’s eyes and asked, “Why do you have green eyes?”

  Shalee merely watched the girl, waiting for her to attempt some form of communication to which she could respond without hinting at her secret. Rebecca innocently complied when she quizzed, “Shalee wasichu? Green eyes,” she declared, pointing to them once more.

  Shalee permitted a look of enlightenment to fill those pools of sea-green which baffled Rebecca. “Hanke-wasicun. A’ta Mahpiya Sapa. Shalee hanke-wasicun. Wasichu…Si-ha Sapa,” she explained that she was half-white and half-Blackfoot, that she was proclaimed the daughter of Chief Black Cloud.

  Rebecca digested these words, then comprehended them. To test her conclusions, she entreated, “Shalee Oglala?”

  Unexpectedly, Shalee smiled genially. She softly replied, “Shalee hiya Oglala. Shalee Si-ha Sapa, wasichu.”

  Rebecca could not conceal her astonishment. She shrieked aloud, “Gray Eagle married a half-breed? This is unbelievable!” Upon further thought and observation, she shook her head and denied her own deductions, “No, I guess not. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve seen. And the daughter of a chief, for I have heard the name of your father many times. I wonder if you also hate the whites as much as Gray Eagle…” she murmured sadly. “How I wish you could speak English and tell me what is happening, what is expected of me here. I doubt you’ve ever known what fear, shame, and loneliness are. I would gladly exchange places with you this very minute if it were possible. How will I ever give up Bright Arrow in only seven days?” she dejectedly whispered her anguish and doubts.